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Small state dilemma: Cambodia between the ASEAN and China in the Indo-Pacific context
[journal article]
Abstract As a small state, Cambodia viewed the ASEAN and China as almost equally important pillars of its foreign policy. Amid the intense strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific, Cambodia faced the dilemma of how to maintain the ASEAN centrality without diplomatic cost to its key ally China, and how to ba... view more
As a small state, Cambodia viewed the ASEAN and China as almost equally important pillars of its foreign policy. Amid the intense strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific, Cambodia faced the dilemma of how to maintain the ASEAN centrality without diplomatic cost to its key ally China, and how to balance its national interest with regional interest. In this context, the article aimed to explain the importance of the ASEAN as a cornerstone of Cambodia’s foreign policy, examine the motivations of Cambodia’s deep political embrace of the Asian giant, and underline its implications for the Indo-Pacific from the lens of small state foreign policy. The article was based on qualitative, empirical analysis that comprises primary and secondary data pertinent to the current topic. The article concluded that Cambodia leaned more towards China than it did towards the ASEAN, thus weakening its centrality in driving the broader regional architecture and that domestic politics was the primary driving force of Cambodia’s foreign policy towards that direction. At this juncture, Cambodia should step back from the present degree of its strategic engagement with China and look for ways to diversify its relations with other major powers while getting back on the democratic path and upholding human rights.... view less
Keywords
Cambodia; ASEAN; China; foreign policy; small state
Classification
International Relations, International Politics, Foreign Affairs, Development Policy
Free Keywords
China's Influence; Indo-Pacific
Document language
English
Publication Year
2022
Page/Pages
p. 116-137
Journal
Journal of Liberty and International Affairs, 8 (2022) 1
ISSN
1857-9760
Status
Published Version; peer reviewed