China’s new ambassador to Cambodia, Wang Wenbin, has made an entrance with a reputation as a seasoned and aggressive diplomat. This move is seen as the beginning of a competition for influence between superpowers in the Southeast Asian nation. The United States and Australia are expected to follow suit with their own experienced envoys in China relations. This comes as Prime Minister Hun Manet, a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and Cambodia’s first new prime minister in decades, is in his first term.
Hun Manet, the son of Cambodia’s long-time leader Hun Sen, belongs to a new generation of politicians from the ruling Cambodian People’s Party. Diplomats are eager to see if he will adjust the country’s strong ties with China, which were established by his father. At the moment, China is Cambodia’s largest trading partner and a significant source of foreign investment and development assistance. China aims to strengthen these ties through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative.
However, concerns in Cambodia about an over-reliance on China, efforts to balance relations with the West, and public worries about corruption and Chinese investments benefiting only the elite could hinder China’s goals. Wang, a former Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson and ambassador to Tunisia, is described by China as a new type of assertive diplomat known as a “wolf warrior.” With over 30 years of diplomatic experience, Wang is believed by analysts to be able to maintain or even increase China’s influence with the Cambodian government and the region.
Seng Vanly, a doctoral candidate in international relations, highlighted Wang’s reputation for strong responses to issues related to China’s rise and aggressions, such as in the South China Sea or conflicts with Taiwan. Western countries like Australia and the United States are expected to send their own China-savvy ambassadors to Cambodia. The U.S. is awaiting Senate confirmation of its next ambassador, Robert Forden, a seasoned diplomat with experience in Beijing and Taipei. Australia has named Derek Yip, who has served in Beijing and held a senior position in the Foreign Ministry’s East Asia political branch, as its next ambassador to Phnom Penh.
The appointment of skilled diplomats from superpowers like the U.S. and Australia could turn Cambodia into a diplomatic battleground on issues like the South China Sea. The U.S. is concerned about Chinese involvement in Cambodia’s Ream naval base. Strengthening ties with Japan could reduce Chinese influence in Cambodia and lead to a more balanced foreign relations approach, according to analysts.
Cambodia’s role in the U.S.-China rivalry in the region has become significant. China’s continued commitment to Cambodia is evident in the numerous infrastructure projects funded by Beijing. The naming of a section of Phnom Penh’s third ring road as Xi Jinping Boulevard signifies the strong friendship between Cambodia and China. However, the return of Chinese tourism and investment to Cambodia’s post-Covid economy remains uncertain.
In conclusion, China’s new ‘wolf warrior’ ambassador to Cambodia may play a crucial role in maintaining or increasing China’s influence in the region. The competition for influence between superpowers in Cambodia could shape the country’s foreign relations and development in the coming years.
