By Veasna Var

May 20, 2015

"The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) is facing two major strategic challenges: its collective unity and balancing between China and the United States as they compete for influence in the region. As an ASEAN member state, one of the major challenges for Cambodia's current and future strategic situation is and will be the competition for influence between the United States and China. This strategic challenge will shape Cambodia's current and future agenda for political reform, economic development, foreign policy, and national defense.

Both China and the United States have been competing for interest and influence in Southeast Asia in general and in Cambodia in particular. As a result, Cambodia faces tough decisions in choosing between the two superpowers and in balancing its relationships with China and the United States so that Cambodia's interests are not compromised. Cambodia is also striving to gain the most possible benefit out of this superpower rivalry. In particular, Cambodia will need to carefully balance its relationship with China to ensure that effective Cambodia-U.S. relations are not compromised. Both China and the United States are considered to be vital to Cambodia's economic and security development, and a collaborative approach will deliver an optimal outcome for Cambodia."

Read more:
http://thediplomat.com/2015/05/cambodia-between-china-and-the-united-states/

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