Shifting Tides in Phnom Penh – The Diplomat

On February 17, a U.S. Congressional delegation celebrated 75 years of U.S.-Cambodia diplomatic relations with Prime Minister Hun Manet in Phnom Penh, while two Chinese warships docked at Ream Naval Base. Cambodia is shifting towards a balancing strategy, reaching out to the U.S. while still relying on China economically and militarily, as Hun Manet seeks to diversify diplomatic relationships to attract foreign investment and navigate shifting geopolitical dynamics. Recent signs of thawing relations include discussions on resuming joint military exercises, but Cambodia’s fragile position, vulnerable to U.S. aid freezes and unpredictable foreign policy, underscores the need for careful navigation.

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