China influence over Cambodia to be tested at SE Asia summit
China’s presence in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh is obvious. The city skyline is dotted by Chinese-funded projects. But the full extent of Beijing’s influence here will be tested when President Hu Jintao visits this week ahead of a regional summit. The timing of Hu’s visit has raised suspicion Beijing may pressure Cambodia to curb discussions at a Southeast Asian leaders’ summit on the vexed question of the South China Sea. Phnom Penh has already said the issue is off the agenda. “They have the money, so they have the power,” said Sem On, a motorbike taxi driver sitting on a railing near the 2nd Chroy Changvar bridge, funded by $27.5 million in Chinese soft loans.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/29/asean-china-idUSL2E8ER98X20120329?irpc=93
