China denies political conditions linked to US$600m aid package for Cambodia

China says its financial assistance to Cambodia is in no way dependent on its diplomatic support, including in Beijing’s dispute with other Southeast Asian countries in the South China Sea.

The comments by Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang followed a recent media report on a US$600 million aid package provided by Beijing to Cambodia, which referred to the close relationship between the countries.

Lu was quoted by mainland media on Thursday as saying that China’s aid should not be hyped-up or viewed through “tinted glasses”.

Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen announced last week that the Chinese assistance to his government would go to support the country’s election infrastructure, education and health.