在美國表示關注後, 中國捍衛與柬埔寨關係

Recently the Associated Press on-line reported the following:

China defends Cambodia relations after US expresses concern

Thu., June 3, 2021, 2:48 a.m. PDT

BEIJING (AP) — China said Thursday its relationship with Cambodia has made positive contributions to regional peace and stability, after the U.S. expressed concerns about the presence of the Chinese military in the Southeast Asian nation.

In a meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Tuesday, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman focused on China's construction of new facilities at Ream Naval Base.

She sought clarification about the demolition of two U.S.-funded buildings at Ream without notification or explanation, and “observed that a (Chinese) military base in Cambodia would undermine its sovereignty, threaten regional security, and negatively impact U.S.-Cambodia relations,” according to the State Department.

In Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said China and Cambodia enjoyed a “traditional friendship” and were “comprehensive strategic and cooperative partners.”

“The two sides have carried out fruitful cooperation in various fields, which has brought tangible benefits to the two peoples and made positive contributions to regional peace and stability," Wang told reporters at a daily briefing.

The State Department said Sherman urged Cambodia’s leadership to maintain an independent and balanced foreign policy, “in the best interests of the Cambodian people.”

Sherman raised the issue again during a visit to Thailand on Wednesday, saying that she had candid conversations with Hun Sen “about the direction the country is headed,” including China's presence at Ream and Cambodia’s human rights and “anti-democratic record."

Ream faces the Gulf of Thailand that lies adjacent to the South China Sea, where China has aggressively asserted its claim to virtually the entire strategic waterway. The U.S. has refused to recognize China's sweeping claims, and the Navy's 7th Fleet routinely sails past Chinese-held islands in what it terms freedom of navigation operations.

China was the chief backer of the murderous regime of Pol Pot in Cambodia and has long maintained strong relations with Hun Sen, who has ruled for more than 30 years and grown increasingly repressive. Cambodia has also reliably blocked criticism of China within the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Translation

北京（美聯社）—— 在美國對中國軍隊在這個東南亞國家出現表示擔憂之後，中國周四表示，其與柬埔寨的關係為地區和平與穩定做出了積極貢獻。

在周二與柬埔寨首相洪森的會晤中，美國副國務卿Wendy Sherman重點討論了中國在雲壤海軍基地建設新設施的問題。

根據美國國務院說, 她要求澄清在沒有通知或解釋的情況下拆除雲壤兩座美國資助的建築物，並“觀察到（中國）在柬埔寨的軍事基地會破壞其主權，威脅地區安全，並對美柬關係產生負面影響，”

在北京，外交部發言人汪文斌表示，中柬兩國有著“傳統友誼”，是“全面戰略合作夥伴”。

汪文斌在例行記者會上說：“雙方在各領域開展卓有成效的合作，給兩國人民帶來了實實在在的利益，為地區和平穩定作出了積極貢獻。”

美國國務院表示，Sherman促柬埔寨領導人保持獨立和平衡的外交政策，“為了柬埔寨人民的最大利益”。

在週三Sherman訪問泰國期間再次提出這個問題，聲稱她與洪森坦誠地“討論了該國的發展方向”，包括中國在雲壤的出現, 以及柬埔寨的人權和“反民主記錄”。

雲壤面對毗鄰南中國海的泰國灣，中國積極宣稱擁有在中國海裡的幾乎整個戰略航道。美國拒絕承認中國的全面擁有，海軍第七艦隊經常駛過中國控制的島嶼，按照其所謂的航行自由行動。

中國是柬埔寨波爾布特殘暴政權的主要支持者，它與長期以來統治了30多年的洪森保持著牢固的關係, 洪並且越來越鎮壓。柬埔寨還可靠地阻止了由 10 個成員國組成的東南亞國家聯盟內部對中國的批評。

       So, Cambodia in ASEAN, just like Hungary in the EU, is a friend of China. And as  friends they  blocked criticism about China within the organization they belong.