China aid pact alarms region

EDITORIL

Published: 28 Jan 2013 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

The signing last week of a military aid pact between China and Cambodia is not good news for the region. The deal was signed in Phnom Penh, during a visit by Gen Qi Jianguo, deputy chief of staff of the Chinese army. The agreement commits China to train the Cambodian army, and to start an upgrade of the country's military hardware. The first shipment of 12 helicopters is to begin immediately.

Cambodia and China publicised the military training pact and therefore cannot be accused of secrecy. The Phnom Penh government of Prime Minister Hun Sen has been openly appealing for military aid for almost three years. Washington, for example, bans military hardware sales because of the Hun Sen government's disdain for human rights.

The timing could not be worse for China to step into the twin roles of military adviser and arms supplier to Cambodia. There is strong concern over Chinese actions in the region. Many, including the governments of the Philippines and Vietnam, fear China is moving far too aggressively. At the same time, Hun Sen and his government are seen as yielding too much, too fast to Beijing's campaign to insinuate itself in the Asean region.

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jamjon01
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Discussion 15 : 28 Jan 2013 at 21.5015
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Very excellent points D13
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jamjon01
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Discussion 14 : 28 Jan 2013 at 20.0214
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This is simply China paying a debt to Cambodia for it's vote in the Asean conflict committee on property of the islands with oil reserves. This actually has nothing to do with Thailand directly.
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geoffo
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Discussion 13 : 28 Jan 2013 at 19.3913
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D10 ,30 years ago China was openly supporting Thai Communists in their efforts to overthrow the Thai Government.

China played an active role in the Malayan uprising. Analysts say the danger the world faces is the PLA taking over in China. They ( the PLA ) seem eager to prove they are big boys. Chinese imperialist ambitions like the South China sea claim are not new. The Cambodian move is to contain the US in Singapore and India. Watch how quickly Chinese aircraft are based in Cambodia on permanent friendship visits. China has 35 million marriage aged males with no partners. A dangerous country that needs space-sound familiar.
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bangmodken
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Discussion 12 : 28 Jan 2013 at 14.1012
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D11 : Kow towing the local bully and give up perfectly legal claims to disputed land and resources?
If that is the best idea you can come up with,maybe you should stick to commenting on democratic rights in China and Cambodia.
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peterl
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Discussion 11 : 28 Jan 2013 at 12.5811
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Eric, Disc 6, has got it right. Cambodia's new military aid pact with China makes it even more in Thailand's interests to de-escalate its dispute with Cambodia over the Preah Vihear temple. It should now firmly reign in its tiny minority ultra-nationalists, who are seeking to ramp up the issue, unfortunately aided and abetted by more moderate politicians like Abhisit, who should know better. Don't let the tail wag the dog!
As Thailand has no conflicts with China in the South China Sea, it is in a strong position to act as mediator between fellow Asean members and China, which is now threatened by the Preah Vihear issue.
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bucktoui
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Discussion 10 : 28 Jan 2013 at 12.2910
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How many Asia country now that economically control by Chinese? Thailand, and Singapore I know for sure are control by Chinese. Like it or not China don't want to act like bully, but seeping in is the best tactic Chinese people has been made over centuries. Thailand for example it take at least 200 hundred years to seep in. Militarely China won't flex its muscle unless it is necessary; announce to the world aiding Cambodia is nothing else than to tell Thailand (already Colonized by Chinese economically)get your hand off from Praviharn and those dispute islands.
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Asian Hand
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Discussion 9 : 28 Jan 2013 at 10.519
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D5 agree. Hun Sen has now betrayed the nation that put him and has kept him in power - Vietnam. Consider his days are now numbered.
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drsmith
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Discussion 8 : 28 Jan 2013 at 10.288
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China's military might is unchallenged in this area. History has shown China has always stood by the countries it supports financially and in military matters. This could prove disastrous for Thailand spouting off about war with Cambodia.
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pquinlan
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Discussion 7 : 28 Jan 2013 at 10.177
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It is onlt natural to think that motives for such agreements have something to do with a nations needs or aspirations. But, Hun Sen has not made a grave error of judgement. He has not made a bad move for Cambodia. All he has done is made a great move for Hun Sen. Please don't assume his motive in doing this was to enhance Cambodia's position or its military prowess. His sole objective was to line his pockets and entrench his own position of power, and he seems to have succeeded handsomely!
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Eric
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Discussion 6 : 28 Jan 2013 at 10.136
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Why all these concerns if we adopt good diplomacy with all our neighbors. It only get testy when we allowed ultra nationalist groups which is the minority a long leash to creat unnecessary tensions with our neighbors. It only get testy when government play the nationalistic agenda to try stay in power. Do what the Malaysian, Indonesian and Singapore do that is practice good & balance diplomacy.
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China aid pact alarms region | Bangkok Post: opinion