President Biden pushed for the release of an “unjustly” jailed Cambodian-American human rights lawyer and the opening of “political space” in Cambodia during a meeting with Prime Minister Hun Sen in Phnom Penh over the weekend.
Biden also reiterated his concerns about China’s involvement in construction of a naval base on Cambodia’s southern coast, which the U.S. reportedly believes is being built for the exclusive use of China’s military — which Phnom Penh denies.
“President Biden also urged Prime Minister Hun Sen to reopen civic and political space ahead of the 2023 elections. He also called for the release of activists detained on politically motivated charges, including U.S.-Cambodian dual citizen Seng Theary,” said a readout of the meeting released Saturday.
