Cambodia ‘playing with fire’ by cosying up to China, says opposition figure Sam Rainsy

The politician warned strongman Hun Sen’s government against allowing Beijing to build infrastructure facilities that could be turned into military bases

Sam Rainsy said he and other banned opposition figures were ‘freedom fighters’ and thanked Malaysia for respecting their rights by allowing them entry

Reading Time:4 minutes

Sam Rainsy, centre, and Mu Sochua, in pink, field questions from reporters in Kuala Lumpur on November 12, 2019. Photo: SCMP/Tashny Sukumaran

Published: 6:34pm, 12 Nov 2019Updated: 2:55pm, 18 Dec 2019

Embattled Cambodian opposition figure Sam Rainsy on Tuesday warned that the government’s growing ties with China threatened the rights of citizens and undermined the Southeast Asian country’s fight for democracy.

Speaking in Kuala Lumpur after a private visit to the Malaysian Houses of Parliament, he said Prime Minister Hun Sen’s administration was “playing with fire” by allowing the China-Cambodia relationship to become too cosy.

“Cambodia must be neutral and not allow China to build facilities that can be turned into military facilities very quickly,” the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) co-founder told reporters.

Sam Rainsy said that when democracy finally prevailed in the country, “we will not allow China to build any military facilities on Cambodian soil”.

Cambodian PM Hun Sen, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands at the Great Hall of the People in April 2019. Photo: Kyodo

His comments came a day after he warned of an influx of Chinese settlers into Cambodia as ties between the nations deepened.

Select Voice

Choose your listening speed

Get through articles 2x faster

1.25x

250 WPM

Slow

Average

Fast

00:0000:00

1.25x