Cambodia Says No Strings Attached in Recent Chinese Aid
China has done a lot to support Cambodia over the years, with millions of dollars in aid, loans and investment. But after reports last week that China has pledged another $500 million in soft loans and grants-and publicly thanked Cambodia for its support in Southeast Asia-Cambodian officials want to be sure no one suspects the little country is falling too much under China’s sway. CPP lawmaker Cheam Yeap, chairman of the Commission on Economy, Finance, Banking and Audit at the National Assembly, said China’s loans have nothing to do with Cambodia’s recent support for China in disputes involving South China Sea, parts of which are claimed by China and several Southeast Asian states. … The latest loans are just “encouragement from China’s premier Wen Jiabao,” Mr. Yeap said, adding that China doesn’t ask ask for anything in return. Rather, China just “sees that Cambodia is in need for [money] to develop the country,” he said.
