W. Patrick Murphy, U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia, during an interview at Voice of America Khmer's news office in Phnom Penh on December 13, 2019. (Aun Chhengpor/VOA Khmer)

EE9CF4A2-0137-473B-81E9-7E738E5D318C_cx6_cy3_cw92_w1023_r1_s — W. Patrick Murphy, U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia, during an interview at Voice of America Khmer's news office in Phnom Penh on December 13, 2019. (Aun Chhengpor/VOA Khmer)

U.S. Envoy: Cambodia Should Have Good Ties with China, But Beware of Potential Pitfalls

Ambassador W. Patrick Murphy said that “media reports” pointing to a potential Chinese naval base in Preah Sihanouk’s Ream Naval Base would pose a challenge for Cambodia’s relations with the U.S. and the region.

December 24, 2019

by VOA Cambodia

U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia W. Patrick Murphy urged Cambodia to pursue a good relationship with China, but also cautioned against the potential effects the bonhomie could have on their sovereignty and financial sustainability.

In a wide-ranging interview with Voice of America Khmer on December 13, and his first since taking over as ambassador in August, Ambassador Murphy said Cambodia is free to choose its partners, adding that it was not unusual to see Chinese investment entering the country.

“Cambodia should have a good relationship with China,” Murphy said. “The United States seeks to have a good relationship with China. It can be complicated.”

In full: https://www.voacambodia.com/a/u-s-envoy-cambodia-should-have-good-ties-with-china-but-beware-of-potential-pitfalls/5216803.html

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