Opinion | Why Cambodia’s right not to evacuate Wuhan despite coronavirus fears

While the rest of the world was clamouring to get their nationals out of Wuhan, Cambodia’s Hun Sen mulled a visit to the outbreak’s epicentre

His refusal to repatriate Cambodians or impose travel restrictions on China is a not only a show of solidarity, but a shrewd example of realpolitik

Reading Time:3 minutes

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen gives a speech concerning efforts to contain the coronavirus. Photo: EPA

Published: 7:44pm, 5 Feb 2020Updated: 7:44pm, 5 Feb 2020

As coronavirus infections continue to rise and countries place restrictions on travel to and from China, Cambodia stands out for refusing to evacuate its citizens from Wuhan – the city at the epicentre of the outbreak – or take any measures against Chinese travellers.

There has been much online criticism of Cambodia’s decision – mostly from critics of Prime Minister Hun Sen – given that there are now more than 23,400 confirmed cases worldwide, exceeding 2003’s Sars epidemic.

Other Asean member states have moved to restrict travellers from Hubei province entering their countries, while some such as Singapore and Indonesia have joined the United States and Australia in barring from their shores all foreigners who have passed through China in the last two weeks.

So far, Cambodia has only reported one case of the virus – a Chinese man who is recovering in a hospital in the coastal province of Sihanoukville. But fake news abounds: see the reports last week that two new sick patients had been admitted to hospital in Koh Kong province, for instance.

Hun Sen earlier said Cambodians working or studying in China, including those in Wuhan, “have to remain there and join the Chinese people to fight this disease”.

Select Voice

Choose your listening speed

Get through articles 2x faster

1.25x

250 WPM

Slow

Average

Fast

00:0000:00

1.25x