The myth of non-interference: Chinese foreign policy in Cambodia

    On 13 April 2022, The Cairns Institute’s Research Fellow Dr Kearrin Sims and Griffiths University PhD Candidate Sovinda Po delivered a joint presentation to The Australian National University’s Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs and Australian Centre on China in the World (CIW). The presentation marked the launch of CIW’s Global China Research Spoke’s new seminar series, and was titled “The myth of non-interference: Chinese foreign policy in Cambodia.”
    Building on Po and Sims 2021 Asian Studies Review article of the same name, the seminar focused on Beijing’s non-interference rhetoric through a case-study analysis of Cambodia. Discourses of “non-interference” features prominently in China’s so-called “peaceful rise” and “win – win” approach to international diplomacy. However, Po and Sims argue that Beijing’s “non-interference” rhetoric is not demonstrated in the context of Cambodia, where China has repeatedly interfered to reinforce Prime Minister Hun Sen’s leadership during times of political contestation. To make this argument, Po and Sims offered a historical summary of Chinese interference in Cambodia followed by an analysis of the key domains in which Hun Sen’s regime supports Chinese geostrategic interests. These are: support for Beijing’s One China Policy and its Belt and Road Initiative; support for Beijing in negotiations with ASEAN; and support for Chinese economic interests. These domains, so Po and Sims argue, contribute to the advancement of China’s “core national interest”, and have been prioritised by Beijing over its principle of non-interference.

    Back to List


    More News


    Sandpit to Seed

    Sandpit to Seed

    The TNQ Drought Hub is excited to be working with James Cook University researchers to help them move their research ideas that could improve agricultural adaption, sustainability and resilience towar...

    Read More

    The National Soils Advocate visit

    The National Soils Advocate visit

    The TNQ Drought Hub recently hosted the National Soils Advocate, the Honourable Penelope Wensley AC for a whirlwind 2-day field trip visiting numerous soils restoration and rehabilitation sites to lea...

    Read More

    Decolonizing HDR Network

    Decolonizing HDR Network

    On 1 August, The Cairns Institute hosted a small, informal symposium for HDR students working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Far North Queensland. It brought together Indigenous...

    Read More

    JCU RED's Public Lectures

    JCU RED's Public Lectures

    The Cairns Institute Fellow Dr Kearrin Sims coordinates the JCU Research Ethical Development Symposium, now in its second year. It will be held 27-29 September at The Cairns Institute. This year will ...

    Read More

    DNA Conference 2023

    DNA Conference 2023

    The Developing Northern Australia Conference returned to Darwin this year in 2023. In 2021, the conference converted to an online event an hour before the program was due to begin due to a sudden NT C...

    Read More

    HDR Student Symposium on Decolonial Research Practices

    HDR Student Symposium on Decolonial Research Practices

    The Cairns Institute will host an informal symposium for HDR students working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Far North Queensland. This symposium will explore if and how post-gr...

    Read More

    Science to Practice Forum

    Science to Practice Forum

    TNQ Drought Hub’s Professor Allan Dale, Doctor Jane Oorschot and Ms Kara Worth were invited to speak at the Science to Practice Forum and share their experience on innovative tools and practices...

    Read More

    TNQ Drought Hub Scholarships

    TNQ Drought Hub Scholarships

    Congratulations to the TNQ Drought Hub drought resilience scholarship recipients. The hub recently offered scholarship opportunities to JCU students who were interested in undertaking an Honours or Ma...

    Read More

    Top

    © 2023 The Cairns Institute | Site Map | Site by OracleStudio | Design by LeoSchoepflin