Cambodia PM dismisses fears of Chinese debt trap

FILE PHOTO: Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen speaks during a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (unseen) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, January 22, 2019. Ng Han Guan/Pool via REUTERS

PHNOM PENH (Reuters) - Prime Minister Hun Sen dismissed on Thursday fears that Cambodia was falling into a Chinese "debt trap", saying its loans are low interest, low risk and were not a threat to national independence.

Speaking at a Future of Asia conference in Japan, Hun Sen said China respected Cambodia's sovereignty when it came to using Chinese loans.