ISLAMABAD – Southeast Asian nations may soon have to “choose sides” betweenthe US and China in their ongoing trade war, the political heir toCambodia’s strongman ruler Hun Sen warned Wednesday in rare public comments.
Impoverished Cambodia has become an unlikely staging ground forgeopolitical influence in Asia.
In recent years it has turned into a key China ally, heading off criticismof the superpower over its claims to disputed seas in exchange for billionsof dollars in investment and loans.
While China has cosied up to Cambodia, the United States and the EuropeanUnion have admonished Hun Sen, the nation’s ruler for 33 years, for hisincreasingly authoritarian rule.
In a rare speech outside of his country, his son, Hun Many warned theUS-China trade spat may create lasting divisions in the Association ofSoutheast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
“Perhaps one day ASEAN would have to choose between US or China,” Hun Manysaid in Bangkok.
“How would we see the trade war spill or expanded in other areas? Surelyit will pressure individual members of ASEAN or ASEAN as a whole to choosesides.”
The economic ripples of the trade spat between China and the US coulddestabilise global supply chain links in Southeast Asia, while a slump inChinese spending would impact its trading partners.
Cambodia’s strongman Hun Sen has welcomed Chinese investment to pump-primehis country’s economy.
At the same time, he has accused the US of trying to foment revolution inCambodia by supporting his critics.
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Both the US and EU decried the July elections, which were held without acredible opposition and gave Hun Sen another term in power.
When asked which of the superpowers Cambodia would side with, theAustralian-educated Hun Many demurred.
“At the end of the day, it depends on those who are involved to take a moreresponsible approach for their decisions that affects the entire world,” hesaid.
Earlier this week, Hun Sen swatted away concerns that Beijing willconstruct a naval base off the southwest coast of Cambodia, which wouldprovide ready access to the disputed South China Sea.
Beijing claims most of the flashpoint area, infuriating the Philippines,Vietnam, Malaysia and Taiwan who all have competing claims to its islandsand potentially resource-rich waters.
Hun Many, who described himself as a “proud son”, is widely believed to bein the running to one day replace his father.
His elder brother, Manit, is the head of a military intelligence unit whileManet, the oldest, was promoted in September to the chief of joint staff ofthe Royal Cambodian Armed Forces as well as the commander of the infantryarmy headquarters.
But Many brushed aside the notion. – APP/AFP
