China has become Cambodia’s most influential partner in the past decade, driving development through massive investment, trade, and aid. Beijing’s landmark Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has dramatically reshaped Cambodia’s economic landscape. Yet, while Beijing’s elite-driven strategy has solidified ties with Cambodia’s leadership, has it resonated with ordinary Cambodians? This question becomes more pertinent when viewed through the lens of “Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics”, which emphasises the Chinese Communist Party’s commitment to serving the people – a principle that ostensibly guides China’s foreign policy but may not always translate into grassroots engagement in recipient countries.
China’s calls for a “community of common destiny” with shared benefits seem to be lost in the implementation of China’s strategy in Cambodia. The assumption that economic ties automatically translate to goodwill is increasingly challenged by complex public perceptions. Chinese investments have undeniably transformed Cambodia, but concerns about transparency, environmental degradation, disparity and social issues, particularly the proliferation of online gambling, are widespread. These concerns have tarnished China’s image among many Cambodians, who question whether these grand projects genuinely align with their best interests – a direct challenge to China’s emphasis on people-centred development.
