The Chinese government has given 1,000 handguns along with 50,000 bullets to Cambodia’s police forces, according to an announcement posted Wednesday to the website of the National Police Commissariat.
“Many things were handed over to Cambodian authorities to enhance social security, including 1,000 short guns [handguns], 50,000 bullets and other equipment,” the announcement states.
“Besides handing over all these materials, Chinese delegates paid Cambodia a several-day visit, to gauge spectacular Cambodia’s tourism potential,” it continues.
Kirth Chantarith, spokesman for the national police, who is shown with Chinese officials in photographs released along with the statement, declined to comment on the transaction.
Defense and tourism are among the many areas where Cambodia and China have agreed to promote bilateral interests as China’s investment in Cambodian infrastructure projects, mining, agriculture and industry balloons.
In July, the Ministry of Defense received a delivery of two Z-9 military helicopters from China, with 10 more to be delivered this month to complete a multimillion-dollar loan deal signed between the two countries in August 2011.
In April, Prime Minister Hun Sen was the first foreign leader to make an official visit to China to meet with the newly appointed leadership of the Communist Party.
During that visit, the two governments formed a new intergovernmental committee, co-headed by Foreign Minister Hor Namhong, with the mandate of enhancing ties between the countries.
“Both sides agreed to enhance cooperation between the foreign ministries…and promote cooperation in such areas as national defense, law enforcement and security with a view to upholding respective national security and regional peace and stability,” the communique that announced the agreement states.
In June, the Tourism Ministry announced an ambitious initiative to attract 1.3 million Chinese tourists to Cambodia by 2018. With 334,000 arrivals in 2012, China ranked third behind Vietnam and South Korea in visitors, according to ministry figures.
Last month, a wide-ranging report on U.S.-Cambodia relations prepared for U.S. Congress said that the growing ties between the two countries were worrying.
“[M]any analysts argue that Chinese assistance has significantly reduced the effectiveness of other aid donors attempting to pressure Cambodia to make advances in the areas of rule of law, democracy and human rights,” the report says.
