PHNOM PENH, Aug 31 (The Phnom Penh Post/ANN): Cambodian academics said the Kingdom needs to maintain good relations with all countries if it is to stimulate the economy.
This was raised during a roundtable discussion at the Royal Academy of Cambodia (RAC) recently. The discussion was held to discuss the country’s preparations to bounce back from the pandemic-induced economic crisis and how it would maintain relations with the world’s superpowers as they jostle for leverage.
RAC president Sok Touch said on Monday (Aug 31) that Cambodia does not discriminate against communist or liberal countries but joins hands with all governments for society’s benefit.
“Cambodia has to use mix-colour flower policy. It joins hands with China, but it also has to work with other countries,” he said.
Touch said Cambodians must be taught to work together and build a communal, unified spirit. He added that Cambodia needs to focus on manufacturing its own products instead of only buying goods from China.
“Khmer [people] have to be well-prepared. They have to join hands with all countries for the benefit of Cambodia. The government puts a lot of effort. I call for each provincial governor, related institutions and officials to work in collaboration with each other as a Cambodian family. Don’t be king of war as it will not help Cambodia,” he said.
Researcher and history lecturer Diep Sophal agreed that Cambodia should maintain contact with all countries, especially ones that can help ensure stability and territorial integrity for the Kingdom.
Kin Phea, the director-general of the RAC’s International Relations Institute, said Cambodia must have a good relationship with neighbouring countries, a strategic partnership with medium-power countries and a good relationship with those outside the region.
He said Cambodia should continue its traditional relationship with Russia, maintain its relationship with the US, enhance its relationship with China and balance its relationship with Europe.
“Some superpower countries do whatever just to gain political benefits, not for our democracy, human rights, justice and the rule of law,” he said.
Democratic Institute President Pa Chanroeun said on Sunday that Cambodia cannot stick with one superpower while giving up others.
“If we can maintain relationships or foreign policies with all superpower countries, we have more opportunities to enhance trade cooperation with them,” he said.
He said bias-based foreign policy can be dangerous, especially as superpowers continue to posture against each other.
“Cambodia has become a new Cold War land which is being competed for geopolitical influence in South-East Asia,” he said. - The Phnom Penh Post/Asian News Network
This was raised during a roundtable discussion at the Royal Academy of Cambodia (RAC) recently. The discussion was held to discuss the country’s preparations to bounce back from the pandemic-induced economic crisis and how it would maintain relations with the world’s superpowers as they jostle for leverage.
RAC president Sok Touch said on Monday (Aug 31) that Cambodia does not discriminate against communist or liberal countries but joins hands with all governments for society’s benefit.
“Cambodia has to use mix-colour flower policy. It joins hands with China, but it also has to work with other countries,” he said.
Touch said Cambodians must be taught to work together and build a communal, unified spirit. He added that Cambodia needs to focus on manufacturing its own products instead of only buying goods from China.
“Khmer [people] have to be well-prepared. They have to join hands with all countries for the benefit of Cambodia. The government puts a lot of effort. I call for each provincial governor, related institutions and officials to work in collaboration with each other as a Cambodian family. Don’t be king of war as it will not help Cambodia,” he said.
Researcher and history lecturer Diep Sophal agreed that Cambodia should maintain contact with all countries, especially ones that can help ensure stability and territorial integrity for the Kingdom.
Kin Phea, the director-general of the RAC’s International Relations Institute, said Cambodia must have a good relationship with neighbouring countries, a strategic partnership with medium-power countries and a good relationship with those outside the region.
He said Cambodia should continue its traditional relationship with Russia, maintain its relationship with the US, enhance its relationship with China and balance its relationship with Europe.
“Some superpower countries do whatever just to gain political benefits, not for our democracy, human rights, justice and the rule of law,” he said.
Democratic Institute President Pa Chanroeun said on Sunday that Cambodia cannot stick with one superpower while giving up others.
“If we can maintain relationships or foreign policies with all superpower countries, we have more opportunities to enhance trade cooperation with them,” he said.
He said bias-based foreign policy can be dangerous, especially as superpowers continue to posture against each other.
“Cambodia has become a new Cold War land which is being competed for geopolitical influence in South-East Asia,” he said. - The Phnom Penh Post/Asian News Network
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