Cambodia Defends China’s Belt and Road as Economic Lifeline

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Photo:Reuters

Cambodia has strongly defended its close partnership with China under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a massive international program focused on building roads, bridges, ports, airports, and other key infrastructure to support trade and economic growth.

On Wednesday, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol addressed hundreds of participants at the Belt and Road Summit in Hong Kong, where he highlighted how the initiative has transformed his country’s economy and daily life for millions of Cambodians.

“The Belt and Road Initiative is not a debt trap. I repeat, it’s not a debt trap,” Chanthol declared during his keynote speech. “On the contrary, it is a lifeline for Cambodia’s social and economic development. It is a strategic investment towards our country’s long-term future.”

How Cambodia Benefited from Belt and Road

Cambodia has been working closely with China for more than a decade, and the results are visible across the nation:

* Road Development: Over 3,000 kilometers of national roads have been constructed or upgraded, connecting cities and rural regions.

* Bridges: 16 major bridges have been built, making travel safer and faster.

* Air Travel: A modern airport has been developed, serving millions of visitors heading to Angkor Wat, one of the world’s most famous historical sites.

* Expressway: The 187 km Phnom Penh–Sihanoukville Expressway, opened in 2022, cut travel time between the capital and the coastal city from five hours to just two.

* Canal Project: A US$1.7 billion Funan Techo Canal, stretching 180 km from Phnom Penh to the Gulf of Thailand, is under development. Once completed, this waterway will reduce shipping costs, shorten trade routes, and lessen Cambodia’s dependence on Vietnamese seaports.

These projects, Chanthol stressed, are not abstract numbers or political slogans—they directly improve the lives of farmers, students, and workers by making trade easier, reducing transportation time, and boosting tourism.

Cambodia Rejects “Debt Trap” Criticism

The phrase “debt-trap diplomacy” gained global attention in 2017 after Sri Lanka faced difficulties repaying loans for its Hambantota port, which eventually was leased to a Chinese company for 99 years. Critics, especially in Western countries, began warning smaller nations that China’s loans would trap them in unsustainable debt.

But Cambodia’s leadership rejected this idea. Sun Chanthol argued that the BRI loans and investments are strategic opportunities, not traps. According to him, without Chinese support, Cambodia’s infrastructure would have developed much more slowly, leaving people behind in poverty.

“These are not abstract terms,” Chanthol emphasized. “They touch the lives of ordinary Cambodians every day.”

Xi Jinping Reaffirms Global Trade Vision

While Cambodia defended its partnership, Chinese President Xi Jinping also sent a message during the China International Fair for Trade in Services, held this week. In a letter, Xi pledged to:

* Continue building an open global economy.

* Expand high-level opening-up of China’s markets.

* Align with international economic and trade rules.

* Promote quality growth in services and trade worldwide.

Xi’s statement reflects China’s broader ambition to position the BRI as a tool not just for Asia, but also for Africa, Europe, and Latin America.

A Shift in Strategy but Strong Momentum

In 2023, China signaled it would adjust its Belt and Road strategy, moving from large-scale mega projects to “small but beautiful” developments, focusing on practical results for local communities.

Yet, recent data shows that China continues to pour significant resources into infrastructure projects, particularly in regions like Central Asia. Cambodia remains one of the clearest examples of how such partnerships can reshape national economies.

Cambodia and China: A Deepening Partnership

Cambodia’s relationship with China goes beyond construction projects. China has become:

* Cambodia’s top foreign investor.

* A major trading partner for imports and exports.

* A long-term diplomatic ally, with both governments highlighting their decades of close cooperation.

The infrastructure projects under BRI are only one piece of this broader partnership, which also includes agriculture, education, and energy cooperation.

Why This Matters Globally

The Belt and Road Initiative is not just about Cambodia. More than 140 countries have signed agreements under the program. The debate around whether it is a “lifeline” or a “debt trap” is central to global politics today.

For countries like Cambodia, the initiative is about catching up in development—building roads, ports, and airports that they could not afford on their own. For critics, it raises concerns about national sovereignty and debt repayment risks.

Cambodia’s bold defense of BRI shows how some nations view the initiative not as a burden, but as an essential path toward modernization and economic progress.

Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol made it clear: for his nation, the Belt and Road Initiative is not a trap—it is a bridge to the future. With faster travel, cheaper trade routes, new jobs, and improved infrastructure, Cambodia sees its partnership with China as the key to prosperity.

At the same time, China is working hard to promote BRI globally as a symbol of shared growth and international cooperation. Whether other nations will embrace this path or remain skeptical is a question that continues to shape the world’s economic landscape.

Cambodia, Belt and Road, China