According to the New York Times, massive construction work is underway at the Dara Sakor international airport in the southern tip of Cambodia aided by China.

The new airstrip has a peculiar feature - a tight turning bay which is usually seen in a military base, not a civilian airport. The New York Times report indicates that China may have lured the south-east state of Cambodia into its South China Sea ambitions.

The report states that adjacent to the airstrip is a deep sea port both built by a politically connected Chinese company. The company reportedly has a 99-year lease that effectively gives it control of 20 per cent of Cambodia's coastline.

<img alt="China's 'String of Pearls'" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a1cb3283-63a3-439d-88ca-df96e4953af8" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/China_0.jpg" />

China's 'String of Pearls' Photograph:( WION Web Team )

The company in question is called union development group, the report indicates. NYT says it has no other operations anywhere in the world. The report quoted a Pentagon spokesperson being concerned about the twin projects.

However, the Cambodian government claims it is a civil aviation authority project. In fact, China has more military designs in Cambodia. Fifty miles from Dara Sakor is the ream naval base - &nbsp;the largest base in Cambodia.&nbsp;

There was reportedly no open bidding process for the land and the company was allegedly granted a concession that was three times the legal limit.

A Wall Street Journal report in July had hinted earlier that an agreement had given China exclusive rights to operate the port for 30 years. The report is further bolstered by the fact that Cambodia rejected American help to refurbish training facilities on the port.

According to the New York Times, massive construction work is underway at the Dara Sakor international airport in the southern tip of Cambodia aided by China. The new airstrip has a peculiar feature - a tight turning bay which is usually seen in a military base, not a civilian airport.

According to the New York Times, massive construction work is underway at the Dara Sakor international airport in the southern tip of Cambodia aided by China. The new airstrip has a peculiar feature - a tight turning bay which is usually seen in a military base, not a civilian airport. The New York Times report indicates that China may have lured the south-east state of Cambodia into its South China Sea ambitions. The report states that adjacent to the airstrip is a deep sea port both built by a politically connected Chinese company. The company reportedly has a 99-year lease that effectively gives it control of 20 per cent of Cambodia's coastline. China's 'String of Pearls' Photograph:( WION Web Team ) The company in question is called union development group, the report indicates. NYT says it has no other operations anywhere in the world. The report quoted a Pentagon spokesperson being concerned about the twin projects. However, the Cambodian government claims it is a civil aviation authority project. In fact, China has more military designs in Cambodia. Fifty miles from Dara Sakor is the ream naval base - the largest base in Cambodia. There was reportedly no open bidding process for the land and the company was allegedly granted a concession that was three times the legal limit. A Wall Street Journal report in July had hinted earlier that an agreement had given China exclusive rights to operate the port for 30 years. The report is further bolstered by the fact that Cambodia rejected American help to refurbish training facilities on the port.

New airstrip in Cambodian jungle sparks fears over China's military ambitions: Report

A runway is being designed at Dara Sakor International Airport near the southwestern coast of Cambodia by a Chinese company, with a close turning bay. A design that fighter jet pilots often use. The question that arises is China planning to use the country as a military base? #Cambodia #CambodianJungle #ChinaMilitarybase

New airstrip in Cambodian jungle sparks fears, Is China planning to use country as military base?

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-treasury-slaps-punitive-sanctions-on-turkeys-defence-minister-255960">US&nbsp;Treasury</a> has imposed&nbsp;sanctions&nbsp;on a businessman and a senior government official with close links to&nbsp;Cambodian&nbsp;Prime Minister Hun Sen, accusing them of&nbsp;corruption.

This comes as western countries step up pressure on Hun Sen&nbsp;over&nbsp;a crackdown on the opposition and after the United States expressed concern&nbsp;over&nbsp;Cambodia's military ties with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-china-trade-dispute-could-spark-a-real-war-world-war-i-broke-out-over-relatively-minor-crisis-former-us-secretary-of-state-henry-kissinger-263637">China</a>.

The US&nbsp;Treasury said it had sanctioned Kun Kim, a former joint chief of staff of the Royal&nbsp;Cambodian&nbsp;Armed Forces (RCAF),&nbsp;over&nbsp;his role in a real estate development in Koh Kong province and his relationship with a Chinese state-owned entity that he reaped significant financial benefit from.

"Kim&nbsp;used RCAF soldiers to intimidate, demolish, and clear-out land sought by the (People's Republic of China)-owned entity," the department said in a statement.

"Kun Kim was replaced as RCAF Chief of Staff because Kim had not shared profits from his unlawful businesses with senior&nbsp;Cambodian&nbsp;government officials," it added.

Three members of Kim's family and five entities that are owned or controlled by these individuals were also sanctioned, the department said.

Cambodian&nbsp;tycoon Try Pheap, a member of Hun Sen's ruling party, was also sanctioned for building a large-scale illegal logging consortium with the collusion of officials. His 11 Cambodia-registered entities were also sanctioned.

Kun Kim and Try Pheap could not be reached for comment.

It is "very disturbing when public figures of a country become subjects of punitive measures of another country based on groundless accounts and accusations in total disregard of legal and judicial independence of the country", Cambodia's foreign ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

"This is a serious&nbsp;violation of the international principles of sovereign equality and non-interference in the domestic affairs of other states as enshrined in the Charter of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-security-council-to-meet-over-north-korea-on-wednesday-at-us-request-267389">United Nations</a> as well as other international laws," it added.

The&nbsp;sanctions&nbsp;are an attack on "the ongoing efforts to restore trust and confidence between Cambodia and the United States", the leaders of which have recently exchanged messages,&nbsp;the ministry added.

A spokesman for the ruling&nbsp;Cambodian&nbsp;People's Party, Senator Sok Eysan, earlier told Reuters that the&nbsp;sanctions&nbsp;were ineffective and only served as support for the opposition.

Kun Kim and Try Pheap "don't have assets abroad and if they are stupid to keep assets outside, let them freeze", he said.

The United States "did this just to support their puppets, it's not effective", he said, referring to the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party that was dissolved in 2017.

The dissolution paved the way for Hun Sen's party to win all the seats in parliament last year.

The United States has called for the release of detained opposition leader Kem Sokha. It has also voiced concern at reports Cambodia is cooperating with China on a naval base, something Hun Sen has denied.

Cambodia has also come under pressure from the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/european-union-to-prolong-russia-sanctions-german-minister-267216">European Union</a>, which is considering the scrapping of trade preferences&nbsp;over&nbsp;Cambodia's crackdown on the opposition.

The US Treasury has imposed sanctions on a businessman and a senior government official with close links to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, accusing them of corruption.

The US Treasury has imposed sanctions on a businessman and a senior government official with close links to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, accusing them of corruption. This comes as western countries step up pressure on Hun Sen over a crackdown on the opposition and after the United States expressed concern over Cambodia's military ties with China. The US Treasury said it had sanctioned Kun Kim, a former joint chief of staff of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF), over his role in a real estate development in Koh Kong province and his relationship with a Chinese state-owned entity that he reaped significant financial benefit from. "Kim used RCAF soldiers to intimidate, demolish, and clear-out land sought by the (People's Republic of China)-owned entity," the department said in a statement. "Kun Kim was replaced as RCAF Chief of Staff because Kim had not shared profits from his unlawful businesses with senior Cambodian government officials," it added. Three members of Kim's family and five entities that are owned or controlled by these individuals were also sanctioned, the department said. Cambodian tycoon Try Pheap, a member of Hun Sen's ruling party, was also sanctioned for building a large-scale illegal logging consortium with the collusion of officials. His 11 Cambodia-registered entities were also sanctioned. Kun Kim and Try Pheap could not be reached for comment. It is "very disturbing when public figures of a country become subjects of punitive measures of another country based on groundless accounts and accusations in total disregard of legal and judicial independence of the country", Cambodia's foreign ministry said in a statement on Tuesday. "This is a serious violation of the international principles of sovereign equality and non-interference in the domestic affairs of other states as enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations as well as other international laws," it added. The sanctions are an attack on "the ongoing efforts to restore trust and confidence between Cambodia and the United States", the leaders of which have recently exchanged messages, the ministry added. A spokesman for the ruling Cambodian People's Party, Senator Sok Eysan, earlier told Reuters that the sanctions were ineffective and only served as support for the opposition. Kun Kim and Try Pheap "don't have assets abroad and if they are stupid to keep assets outside, let them freeze", he said. The United States "did this just to support their puppets, it's not effective", he said, referring to the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party that was dissolved in 2017. The dissolution paved the way for Hun Sen's party to win all the seats in parliament last year. The United States has called for the release of detained opposition leader Kem Sokha. It has also voiced concern at reports Cambodia is cooperating with China on a naval base, something Hun Sen has denied. Cambodia has also come under pressure from the European Union, which is considering the scrapping of trade preferences over Cambodia's crackdown on the opposition.

US imposes sanctions on Cambodian PM's associates over alleged corruption

Cambodian&nbsp;opposition&nbsp;figure <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cambodian-opposition-leader-kem-sokha-could-be-brought-to-trial-as-judge-ends-investigation-262222">Kem Sokha</a>, freshly freed from house arrest, will&nbsp;still&nbsp;stand&nbsp;trial&nbsp;for&nbsp;treason, strongman premier Hun Sen said Monday.

Kem Sokha, 66, is the co-founder of the banned Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), which was dissolved ahead of widely criticised elections last year.

Arrested in 2017 and accused of plotting to overthrow Hun Sen's government, he was detained first in a remote prison and then under house arrest before his bail conditions were relaxed last week.

The court closed the investigation into his case on Friday but Hun Sen, who has ruled Cambodia since 1985, clarified Monday he would&nbsp;still&nbsp;face&nbsp;trial.

"The charges (against Kem Sokha) will not be dropped," Hun Sen said amid swirling rumours the King would soon pardon him.

"They simply closed the investigation so the case can be sent to&nbsp;trial," he said, without confirming when it would start.

The case would take "a long time" to finish, he added, also offering a veiled threat to other&nbsp;opposition&nbsp;members not to "run into walls".

Kem Sokha is currently banned from leaving Cambodia or taking part in political activities.

After meetings with a number of foreign envoys to Cambodia, he posted Friday a message on Facebook calling for "national reconciliation".

Rights groups say Cambodia's legal system is completely controlled by Hun Sen's government.

Sokha's political partner Sam Rainsy, meanwhile, returned to France over the weekend after attempting a highly publicised comeback for Cambodia's November 9 independence day.

Rainsy has lived in France since 2015 to avoid jail for convictions he says are politically motivated.

He promised a dramatic return to Cambodia but ended up waylaid in Malaysia and Indonesia with other CNRP officials.

Hun Sen last week ordered the release on bail of more than <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cambodian-prime-minister-orders-to-free-more-than-70-opposition-activists-on-bail-262041">70&nbsp;opposition&nbsp;members</a> and activists that authorities accused of helping Rainsy return.

The dissolution of the CNRP in 2017 paved the way for Hun Sen's ruling party to sweep a widely criticised election last year, turning Cambodia into a one-party state.

As a result, the European Union&nbsp;started a review of a duty-free tariff scheme for the country's lucrative garment sector.

Analysts say the possible removal of the deal is a rare political weak spot for Hun Sen

Cambodian opposition figure Kem Sokha, freshly freed from house arrest, will still stand trial for treason, strongman premier Hun Sen said Monday. Kem Sokha, 66, is the co-founder of the banned Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), which was dissolved ahead of widely criticised elections last year.

Cambodian opposition figure Kem Sokha, freshly freed from house arrest, will still stand trial for treason, strongman premier Hun Sen said Monday. Kem Sokha, 66, is the co-founder of the banned Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), which was dissolved ahead of widely criticised elections last year. Arrested in 2017 and accused of plotting to overthrow Hun Sen's government, he was detained first in a remote prison and then under house arrest before his bail conditions were relaxed last week. The court closed the investigation into his case on Friday but Hun Sen, who has ruled Cambodia since 1985, clarified Monday he would still face trial. "The charges (against Kem Sokha) will not be dropped," Hun Sen said amid swirling rumours the King would soon pardon him. "They simply closed the investigation so the case can be sent to trial," he said, without confirming when it would start. The case would take "a long time" to finish, he added, also offering a veiled threat to other opposition members not to "run into walls". Kem Sokha is currently banned from leaving Cambodia or taking part in political activities. After meetings with a number of foreign envoys to Cambodia, he posted Friday a message on Facebook calling for "national reconciliation". Rights groups say Cambodia's legal system is completely controlled by Hun Sen's government. Sokha's political partner Sam Rainsy, meanwhile, returned to France over the weekend after attempting a highly publicised comeback for Cambodia's November 9 independence day. Rainsy has lived in France since 2015 to avoid jail for convictions he says are politically motivated. He promised a dramatic return to Cambodia but ended up waylaid in Malaysia and Indonesia with other CNRP officials. Hun Sen last week ordered the release on bail of more than 70 opposition members and activists that authorities accused of helping Rainsy return. The dissolution of the CNRP in 2017 paved the way for Hun Sen's ruling party to sweep a widely criticised election last year, turning Cambodia into a one-party state. As a result, the European Union started a review of a duty-free tariff scheme for the country's lucrative garment sector. Analysts say the possible removal of the deal is a rare political weak spot for Hun Sen

Cambodian opposition leader still to face treason trial: PM

A judge in Cambodia has shut the investigation against opposition leader Kem Sokha for treason. According to his daughter, this implies that he could now be brought to trial or have the charges dropped.

Cambodia has recently faced pressure over human rights amid the European Union threatening trade benefits. Kem Sokha was freed from house arrest last weekend and authoritarian leader Hun Sen ordered the release of more than <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cambodian-prime-minister-orders-to-free-more-than-70-opposition-activists-on-bail-262041">70 opposition activists</a> on Thursday.

Investigating judge Ky Rithy's lawyer on Friday said in a letter, "we decide to close the investigation from this time onward".

Kem Sokha's daughter Monovithya Kem said on Twitter: "Next step is either the prosecutor drops the charges or takes the case to trial. We demand that all charges be dropped."

A spokesman for the court said he was not aware of the decision to close the investigation so could not comment.

Kem Sokha faced arrest in 2017, with this Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) facing a ban in the run-up to an election last year. The election was swept by the ruling party and was referred by Western countries as a farce.

Kem Sokha has dismissed the charges against him as ''nonsense''.

On Tuesday, the European Union gave the government a one-month deadline to respond to a preliminary report on the suspension of trade preferences over the crackdown on the opposition, non-governmental groups and the media.

Prime Minister Hun Sen, a former Khmer Rouge commander, has ruled the country of 16 million for more than 34 years.

(With inputs from Reuters)

A judge in Cambodia has shut the investigation against opposition leader Kem Sokha for treason. According to his daughter, this implies that he could now be brought to trial or have the charges dropped.

A judge in Cambodia has shut the investigation against opposition leader Kem Sokha for treason. According to his daughter, this implies that he could now be brought to trial or have the charges dropped. Cambodia has recently faced pressure over human rights amid the European Union threatening trade benefits. Kem Sokha was freed from house arrest last weekend and authoritarian leader Hun Sen ordered the release of more than 70 opposition activists on Thursday. Investigating judge Ky Rithy's lawyer on Friday said in a letter, "we decide to close the investigation from this time onward". Kem Sokha's daughter Monovithya Kem said on Twitter: "Next step is either the prosecutor drops the charges or takes the case to trial. We demand that all charges be dropped." A spokesman for the court said he was not aware of the decision to close the investigation so could not comment. Kem Sokha faced arrest in 2017, with this Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) facing a ban in the run-up to an election last year. The election was swept by the ruling party and was referred by Western countries as a farce. Kem Sokha has dismissed the charges against him as ''nonsense''. On Tuesday, the European Union gave the government a one-month deadline to respond to a preliminary report on the suspension of trade preferences over the crackdown on the opposition, non-governmental groups and the media. Prime Minister Hun Sen, a former Khmer Rouge commander, has ruled the country of 16 million for more than 34 years. (With inputs from Reuters)

Cambodian opposition leader Kem Sokha could be brought to trial as judge ends investigation

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has ordered the release on bail of more than 70 opposition activists arrested in recent weeks and accused of plotting to overthrow the government, he said on Thursday.

Hun Sen, who has ruled Cambodia for more than 34 years, has been under increasing international pressure to improve his human rights record, with the European Union threatening the withdrawal of important trade benefits.

"There are over 70 people, please hurry up work on this case so that these brothers can be released on bail," Hun Sen said in a speech at a new cement factory in the southern province of Kampot, in comments directed at judicial authorities.

Cambodia arrested dozens of people in the run-up to last Saturday when veteran opposition figure Sam Rainsy had said he would return from self-imposed exile to rally opposition to authoritarian ruler Hun Sen.

But Sam Rainsy did not return to Cambodia, saying he had been stopped in Paris from boarding a flight to neighbouring Thailand. He instead flew to Malaysia before arriving in Indonesia on Thursday.

On Saturday, Cambodia also relaxed the house arrest conditions on opposition leader Kem Sokha, who was arrested on treason charges more than two years ago. He says the charges are ridiculous and has called for them to be dropped.

Kem Sokha and Sam Rainsy co-founded the Cambodia National Rescue Party, which was banned in 2017. By then, Sam Rainsy had flown into self-exile in France after a defamation conviction and other charges he says are political.

On Tuesday, the European Union voiced concern at human rights in Cambodia as it gave a one-month deadline to authorities to respond to a report on its investigation before deciding whether to suspend trade benefits.

Hun Sen said that in addition to ordering the release of the opposition activists, he had ordered the Justice Ministry to withdraw arrest warrants for other opposition activists who had fled to Thailand or were in hiding in Cambodia.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has ordered the release on bail of more than 70 opposition activists arrested in recent weeks and accused of plotting to overthrow the government, he said on Thursday.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has ordered the release on bail of more than 70 opposition activists arrested in recent weeks and accused of plotting to overthrow the government, he said on Thursday. Hun Sen, who has ruled Cambodia for more than 34 years, has been under increasing international pressure to improve his human rights record, with the European Union threatening the withdrawal of important trade benefits. "There are over 70 people, please hurry up work on this case so that these brothers can be released on bail," Hun Sen said in a speech at a new cement factory in the southern province of Kampot, in comments directed at judicial authorities. Cambodia arrested dozens of people in the run-up to last Saturday when veteran opposition figure Sam Rainsy had said he would return from self-imposed exile to rally opposition to authoritarian ruler Hun Sen. But Sam Rainsy did not return to Cambodia, saying he had been stopped in Paris from boarding a flight to neighbouring Thailand. He instead flew to Malaysia before arriving in Indonesia on Thursday. On Saturday, Cambodia also relaxed the house arrest conditions on opposition leader Kem Sokha, who was arrested on treason charges more than two years ago. He says the charges are ridiculous and has called for them to be dropped. Kem Sokha and Sam Rainsy co-founded the Cambodia National Rescue Party, which was banned in 2017. By then, Sam Rainsy had flown into self-exile in France after a defamation conviction and other charges he says are political. On Tuesday, the European Union voiced concern at human rights in Cambodia as it gave a one-month deadline to authorities to respond to a report on its investigation before deciding whether to suspend trade benefits. Hun Sen said that in addition to ordering the release of the opposition activists, he had ordered the Justice Ministry to withdraw arrest warrants for other opposition activists who had fled to Thailand or were in hiding in Cambodia.

Cambodian Prime Minister orders to free more than 70 opposition activists on bail

Cambodia has freed a prominent opposition figure from house arrest more than two years after he was charged with treason, a court spokesperson told AFP on Sunday, after attempts by his colleagues to return to the country were thwarted.

Kem Sokha was arrested in 2017 and accused of plotting to overthrow the government of strongman Hun Sen, who has ruled since 1985.

He was sent to a remote prison, then confined to his house and the surrounding block and prohibited from talking to the media.

But "he can travel nationwide now", Y Rin, a Phnom Penh municipal court spokesman, told AFP.

Sokha is the co-founder of the banned Cambodia National Rescue Party, which was dissolved ahead of elections swept by Hun Sen last year.

The new court ruling, which cited health concerns, forbids the 66-year-old from leaving Cambodia or joining political activities.

Pheng Heng, a lawyer for Kem Sokha, confirmed that some restrictions were lifted but said the ban on politics was too broadly worded and unclear.

Rights groups say Cambodia's legal system is controlled by Hun Sen's government.

The decision comes as Sokha's political partner Sam Rainsy is waylaid in Malaysia with other CNRP officials after attempting a highly-publicised comeback on November 9, Cambodia's independence day.

Rainsy, who has lived in France since 2015 to avoid jail for convictions he says are politically motivated, had promised a dramatic return.

But after being barred in Paris on Thursday from getting on a flight to Thailand, Rainsy boarded a plane a day later and arrived in Kuala Lumpur.

It is unclear how he will get back to the country and for now he plans to meet with Malaysian MPs this week.

He did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Sokha.

Dozens of activists have been rounded up in recent weeks in Cambodia, while Hun Sen has called on fellow members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to arrest Rainsy in what the strongman has described as an attempted coup.

But Hun Sen is also under international pressure to ease restrictions on dissent as the European Union considers revoking a duty-free tariff scheme for Cambodia's lucrative garment sector.

ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights board member and former Philippines MP Teddy Baguilat called the court ruling misleading and an attempt to ward off sanction.

"This is just another cynical move by Hun Sen to try and hoodwink the international community", he said.

Cambodia has freed a prominent opposition figure from house arrest more than two years after he was charged with treason, a court spokesperson told AFP on Sunday, after attempts by his colleagues to return to the country were thwarted.

Cambodia has freed a prominent opposition figure from house arrest more than two years after he was charged with treason, a court spokesperson told AFP on Sunday, after attempts by his colleagues to return to the country were thwarted. Kem Sokha was arrested in 2017 and accused of plotting to overthrow the government of strongman Hun Sen, who has ruled since 1985. He was sent to a remote prison, then confined to his house and the surrounding block and prohibited from talking to the media. But "he can travel nationwide now", Y Rin, a Phnom Penh municipal court spokesman, told AFP. Sokha is the co-founder of the banned Cambodia National Rescue Party, which was dissolved ahead of elections swept by Hun Sen last year. The new court ruling, which cited health concerns, forbids the 66-year-old from leaving Cambodia or joining political activities. Pheng Heng, a lawyer for Kem Sokha, confirmed that some restrictions were lifted but said the ban on politics was too broadly worded and unclear. Rights groups say Cambodia's legal system is controlled by Hun Sen's government. The decision comes as Sokha's political partner Sam Rainsy is waylaid in Malaysia with other CNRP officials after attempting a highly-publicised comeback on November 9, Cambodia's independence day. Rainsy, who has lived in France since 2015 to avoid jail for convictions he says are politically motivated, had promised a dramatic return. But after being barred in Paris on Thursday from getting on a flight to Thailand, Rainsy boarded a plane a day later and arrived in Kuala Lumpur. It is unclear how he will get back to the country and for now he plans to meet with Malaysian MPs this week. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Sokha. Dozens of activists have been rounded up in recent weeks in Cambodia, while Hun Sen has called on fellow members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to arrest Rainsy in what the strongman has described as an attempted coup. But Hun Sen is also under international pressure to ease restrictions on dissent as the European Union considers revoking a duty-free tariff scheme for Cambodia's lucrative garment sector. ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights board member and former Philippines MP Teddy Baguilat called the court ruling misleading and an attempt to ward off sanction. "This is just another cynical move by Hun Sen to try and hoodwink the international community", he said.

Cambodia lifts house arrest restrictions on opposition figure

Cambodian opposition figurehead Sam Rainsy arrived in Malaysia on Saturday as he sought to return home to rally his supporters against strongman Hun Sen, while security was beefed up at the kingdom's borders and in Phnom Penh.

Rainsy, who has lived in self-exile in France since 2015 to avoid jail for convictions he says are politically motivated, had long promised a dramatic return on November 9, Cambodia's Independence Day.&nbsp;

But Hun Sen, who has ruled Cambodia since 1985, vowed to bar him and other figures from his party,&nbsp;which was outlawed ahead of much-criticised elections last year.

After being blocked from getting on a France-Thailand flight on Thursday, Rainsy boarded a plane a day later and arrived at the main airport serving the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur, according to an AFP journalist.

Cambodian opposition figurehead Sam Rainsy arrived in Malaysia on Saturday as he sought to return home to rally his supporters against strongman Hun Sen, while security was beefed up at the kingdom's borders and in Phnom Penh.

Cambodian opposition figurehead Sam Rainsy arrived in Malaysia on Saturday as he sought to return home to rally his supporters against strongman Hun Sen, while security was beefed up at the kingdom's borders and in Phnom Penh. Rainsy, who has lived in self-exile in France since 2015 to avoid jail for convictions he says are politically motivated, had long promised a dramatic return on November 9, Cambodia's Independence Day. But Hun Sen, who has ruled Cambodia since 1985, vowed to bar him and other figures from his party, which was outlawed ahead of much-criticised elections last year. After being blocked from getting on a France-Thailand flight on Thursday, Rainsy boarded a plane a day later and arrived at the main airport serving the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur, according to an AFP journalist.

Cambodian opposition figurehead Rainsy arrives in Malaysia

Malaysia has detained Cambodian former minister Mu Sochua, rights groups said on Thursday, after Phnom Penh sought her arrest on grounds that she and other self-exiled members of the banned opposition were plotting a coup in trying to return home.

The detention came as Sam Rainsy, the founder of the opposition party, prepared to fly from Paris to Bangkok, vowing to return to Cambodia on Saturday to lead demonstrations against the one-party rule of longtime Prime Minister Hun Sen.

It was unclear if any of the opposition figures abroad would reach Cambodia. Thailand has said it will not allow transit for Sam Rainsy, and Malaysia this week detained two other opposition leaders who were trying to fly to Thailand.

A dual US-Cambodian citizen and former women's minister, Mu Sochua, 65, is vice president of the banned Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) and one of the highest-profile opposition leaders detained in Hun Sen's efforts to prevent their return.

Thailand had denied her entry.

On Wednesday, she held a news conference in Indonesia to denounce a crackdown by Cambodian authorities, who have arrested dozens of opposition activists at home and deployed troops along the borders ahead of the leaders' planned return.

"What do they fear?" she asked. "They totally fear the determination of the people of Cambodia, who are responding positively to our appeal, which is that together we will build a better Cambodia."

Sochua later flew to Malaysia, only to be detained. She was being held at the airport in its capital, said Jerald Joseph, an official of the Malaysian Human Rights Commission.

Joseph said he had spoken with Sochua, who had been told she would not be deported to Cambodia. It was not immediately clear where authorities would send her next.

Malaysia's immigration department did not immediately respond to questions from Reuters.

Sochua had fled Cambodia in 2017 under threat of arrest amid a mass crackdown on the opposition. The party's leader, Kem Sokha, was arrested on treason charges and remains under house arrest. The Supreme Court later dissolved the CNRP.

Sochua's news conference in the Indonesian capital was interrupted by the Cambodian ambassador, who urged that she should not be given a forum.

The Cambodian embassy asked Indonesia, as a fellow member of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-discusses-sustainable-development-with-asean-leaders-259811">Association of Southeast Asian Nations</a> (ASEAN) grouping, to detain her.

The embassy sought her deportation to Cambodia "in the true spirit of ASEAN," it said in a statement, adding that similar requests had been made to neighbouring countries.

Instead, Sochua flew to Malaysia, where she said she knew she could also be arrested.

"They will follow me, they will follow us, all the way," she said on Wednesday.

Sochua has been charged in a plot to topple the Cambodian government, national police spokesman Chhay Kim Khoeun said.

"There is an arrest warrant for her, we really want her but we don't know what is Malaysia's position," he added.

Sochua's detention in Malaysia is unacceptable, said New York-based <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/human-rights-watch-report-on-uighurs-full-of-prejudice-says-china-164872">Human Rights Watch (HRW)</a>.

"She's done nothing wrong and should be immediately released and allowed to undertake the consultations she planned with the Malaysia government and civil society groups," said Phil Robertson, the group's deputy director for Asia.

Malaysia has detained Cambodian former minister Mu Sochua, rights groups said on Thursday, after Phnom Penh sought her arrest on grounds that she and other self-exiled members of the banned opposition were plotting a coup in trying to return home.

Malaysia has detained Cambodian former minister Mu Sochua, rights groups said on Thursday, after Phnom Penh sought her arrest on grounds that she and other self-exiled members of the banned opposition were plotting a coup in trying to return home. The detention came as Sam Rainsy, the founder of the opposition party, prepared to fly from Paris to Bangkok, vowing to return to Cambodia on Saturday to lead demonstrations against the one-party rule of longtime Prime Minister Hun Sen. It was unclear if any of the opposition figures abroad would reach Cambodia. Thailand has said it will not allow transit for Sam Rainsy, and Malaysia this week detained two other opposition leaders who were trying to fly to Thailand. A dual US-Cambodian citizen and former women's minister, Mu Sochua, 65, is vice president of the banned Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) and one of the highest-profile opposition leaders detained in Hun Sen's efforts to prevent their return. Thailand had denied her entry. On Wednesday, she held a news conference in Indonesia to denounce a crackdown by Cambodian authorities, who have arrested dozens of opposition activists at home and deployed troops along the borders ahead of the leaders' planned return. "What do they fear?" she asked. "They totally fear the determination of the people of Cambodia, who are responding positively to our appeal, which is that together we will build a better Cambodia." Sochua later flew to Malaysia, only to be detained. She was being held at the airport in its capital, said Jerald Joseph, an official of the Malaysian Human Rights Commission. Joseph said he had spoken with Sochua, who had been told she would not be deported to Cambodia. It was not immediately clear where authorities would send her next. Malaysia's immigration department did not immediately respond to questions from Reuters. Sochua had fled Cambodia in 2017 under threat of arrest amid a mass crackdown on the opposition. The party's leader, Kem Sokha, was arrested on treason charges and remains under house arrest. The Supreme Court later dissolved the CNRP. Sochua's news conference in the Indonesian capital was interrupted by the Cambodian ambassador, who urged that she should not be given a forum. The Cambodian embassy asked Indonesia, as a fellow member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) grouping, to detain her. The embassy sought her deportation to Cambodia "in the true spirit of ASEAN," it said in a statement, adding that similar requests had been made to neighbouring countries. Instead, Sochua flew to Malaysia, where she said she knew she could also be arrested. "They will follow me, they will follow us, all the way," she said on Wednesday. Sochua has been charged in a plot to topple the Cambodian government, national police spokesman Chhay Kim Khoeun said. "There is an arrest warrant for her, we really want her but we don't know what is Malaysia's position," he added. Sochua's detention in Malaysia is unacceptable, said New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW). "She's done nothing wrong and should be immediately released and allowed to undertake the consultations she planned with the Malaysia government and civil society groups," said Phil Robertson, the group's deputy director for Asia.

Malaysia detains Cambodian opposition leader Mu Sochua

The body of a 21-year-old British tourist was found floating in the sea more than a week after she went missing from a Cambodian island, police told AFP on Thursday.

Amelia Bambridge was discovered in waters near the Thai border, said Chuon Narin, police chief of Preah Sihanouk province.

"We found the body of the missing British woman," Narin said, adding it would be taken to nearby Sihanoukville.

He did not speculate on what happened to her after she disappeared from a beach party on the island of Koh Rong on October 24, but earlier this week he said she may have drowned.

The discovery brings to a tragic end a desperate search involving more than 100 members of the police, army, navy and Bambridge's relatives.

Bambridge had befriended other travellers and the alarm was raised after she did not check out of her hostel following a party that went into the early hours on the beach.

Located in the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Rong is popular with backpackers.

Police later found her bag and phone in the area where she was last seen around 3:30 am.

Her family members scrambled to the island to help with the investigation and have also been active on social media asking travellers for possible clues.

Divers searched the waters and others combed the jungle, but for days nothing substantive was found.

The mystery deepened after police held six men for questioning but they were found not to be involved and released.

Koh Rong is a two-hour boat ride from the coast and draws budget travellers with its cheap accommodation, laid-back beach bars and idyllic sunsets.

But it has also undergone development in recent years in keeping with a construction and casino boom in nearby Sihanoukville.

Cambodia has long been a stop for tourists travelling around Southeast Asia.

Though generally safe, crimes involving foreigners have grabbed headlines in the past.

This month a Cambodian court charged three men with gang-raping a French tourist in the coastal province of Kampot after offering her a ride in their car.

In 2013, Kampot town was rocked by the discovery of the mutilated body of a 25-year-old Frenchwoman floating in a river.&nbsp;

A Belgian was charged with the alleged rape and murder of the woman, but released on bail due to a lack of evidence.

The body of a 21-year-old British tourist was found floating in the sea more than a week after she went missing from a Cambodian island, police told AFP on Thursday.

The body of a 21-year-old British tourist was found floating in the sea more than a week after she went missing from a Cambodian island, police told AFP on Thursday. Amelia Bambridge was discovered in waters near the Thai border, said Chuon Narin, police chief of Preah Sihanouk province. "We found the body of the missing British woman," Narin said, adding it would be taken to nearby Sihanoukville. He did not speculate on what happened to her after she disappeared from a beach party on the island of Koh Rong on October 24, but earlier this week he said she may have drowned. The discovery brings to a tragic end a desperate search involving more than 100 members of the police, army, navy and Bambridge's relatives. Bambridge had befriended other travellers and the alarm was raised after she did not check out of her hostel following a party that went into the early hours on the beach. Located in the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Rong is popular with backpackers. Police later found her bag and phone in the area where she was last seen around 3:30 am. Her family members scrambled to the island to help with the investigation and have also been active on social media asking travellers for possible clues. Divers searched the waters and others combed the jungle, but for days nothing substantive was found. The mystery deepened after police held six men for questioning but they were found not to be involved and released. Koh Rong is a two-hour boat ride from the coast and draws budget travellers with its cheap accommodation, laid-back beach bars and idyllic sunsets. But it has also undergone development in recent years in keeping with a construction and casino boom in nearby Sihanoukville. Cambodia has long been a stop for tourists travelling around Southeast Asia. Though generally safe, crimes involving foreigners have grabbed headlines in the past. This month a Cambodian court charged three men with gang-raping a French tourist in the coastal province of Kampot after offering her a ride in their car. In 2013, Kampot town was rocked by the discovery of the mutilated body of a 25-year-old Frenchwoman floating in a river. A Belgian was charged with the alleged rape and murder of the woman, but released on bail due to a lack of evidence.

Body of missing British tourist found off Cambodia coast: Police

For nearly 40 years, the Islamic republic has barred female spectators from entering football and other sports stadiums, with clerics arguing women must be shielded from the masculine atmosphere and sight of semi-clad men.

First time in nearly 40 years, women in Iran attend football match

&nbsp;Nuon Chea, the chief ideologist and 'Brother Number Two' of Cambodia's Khmer Rouge, whose brutal rule in the 1970s led to the deaths of some 2 million people, died on Sunday at the age of 93, a court spokesman said.

A UN backed court found Chea guilty of genocide and sentenced him to life in prison last year, almost four decades after the Maoist regime which oversaw Cambodia's "Killing Fields" was overthrown.

Chea was among a small clique -- led by 'Brother Number One', Pol Pot -- of mostly French-educated communists who rose to lead a bloody revolution against a US-backed government after their country was engulfed by the Vietnam War.

The extremist ideology of the 1975-79 regime sought to turn Cambodia back to "year zero" in its quest for a peasant utopia.

Between 1.7 and 2.2 million people, almost a quarter of the Southeast Asian country's population, died during its four-year rule, of starvation, torture, exhaustion or disease in labour camps, or bludgeoned to death during mass executions.

"We can confirm that defendant Nuon Chea, 93, passed away this evening on 4 August 2019 at Khmer Soviet Friendship hospital," Neth Pheaktra, a spokesman at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC), said.

"Nuon Chea's family has been informed."

Of the Khmer Rouge's leaders only former President Khieu Samphan and Kaing Guek Eav, also known as Comrade Duch, are serving life sentences after being convicted of genocide and crimes against humanity.

Khieu Samphan and Nuon Chea were found guilty of crimes against humanity in the first phase of the complex UN&nbsp;trial and sentenced to life in prison in 2014.

A separate trial last year found Chea guilty of genocide.

Pol Pot died in 1998 at the age of 73.

In opening remarks at his 2011 trial, Chea denied the genocide charges against him.

"My position in the revolution was to serve the interests of the nation and people," he said.

"Oppression, injustice compelled me to devote myself to fight for my country. I had to leave my family behind to liberate my motherland from colonialism and aggression, and oppression by the thieves who wished to steal our land and wipe Cambodia off the face of the earth," Chea told the court.

'SMASH TO BITS'

Unlike others in Pol Pot's inner circle, Nuon Chea did not study in Paris, and instead read law at Bangkok's prestigious Thammasat University, where he became a member of the Thai Communist Party.

He was appointed Deputy Secretary of the Communist Party of Kampuchea, the name the Khmer Rouge used for Cambodia, in 1960, a position that put him in charge of party and state security and Phnom Penh's notorious S-21 interrogation and torture centre at the capital's Tuol Sleng high school.

Those carrying out the brutal beatings at S-21 were instructed to "smash to bits" traitors and counter-revolutionaries.

Under the chaotic Khmer Rouge ideology, furthered by Chea, that could mean anyone from school teachers to children, to pregnant women and to "intellectuals" identified as such if they were wearing spectacles.

On Jan. 5, 1979, two days before the Vietnamese army overran Phnom Penh, Nuon Chea ordered S-21 head Duch to kill all remaining prisoners.

Court spokesman Pheaktra did not say how Chea died but added that he had been in hospital since early July.

Youk Chhang, director of Documentation Center of Cambodia, an organisation which provided thousands of documents as evidence to the U.N.-backed court which prosecuted the Khmer Rouge, said Nuon Chea had escaped his life sentence by dying.

"He was born just like the rest of us, but became driven by power and prejudice against his own people," Youk said.

"He can escape justice from the court of law but he can't escape his punishment from God."

Nuon Chea, the chief ideologist and 'Brother Number Two' of Cambodia's Khmer Rouge, whose brutal rule in the 1970s led to the deaths of some 2 million people, died on Sunday at the age of 93, a court spokesman said.

Nuon Chea, the chief ideologist and 'Brother Number Two' of Cambodia's Khmer Rouge, whose brutal rule in the 1970s led to the deaths of some 2 million people, died on Sunday at the age of 93, a court spokesman said. A UN backed court found Chea guilty of genocide and sentenced him to life in prison last year, almost four decades after the Maoist regime which oversaw Cambodia's "Killing Fields" was overthrown. Chea was among a small clique -- led by 'Brother Number One', Pol Pot -- of mostly French-educated communists who rose to lead a bloody revolution against a US-backed government after their country was engulfed by the Vietnam War. The extremist ideology of the 1975-79 regime sought to turn Cambodia back to "year zero" in its quest for a peasant utopia. Between 1.7 and 2.2 million people, almost a quarter of the Southeast Asian country's population, died during its four-year rule, of starvation, torture, exhaustion or disease in labour camps, or bludgeoned to death during mass executions. "We can confirm that defendant Nuon Chea, 93, passed away this evening on 4 August 2019 at Khmer Soviet Friendship hospital," Neth Pheaktra, a spokesman at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC), said. "Nuon Chea's family has been informed." Of the Khmer Rouge's leaders only former President Khieu Samphan and Kaing Guek Eav, also known as Comrade Duch, are serving life sentences after being convicted of genocide and crimes against humanity. Khieu Samphan and Nuon Chea were found guilty of crimes against humanity in the first phase of the complex UN trial and sentenced to life in prison in 2014. A separate trial last year found Chea guilty of genocide. Pol Pot died in 1998 at the age of 73. In opening remarks at his 2011 trial, Chea denied the genocide charges against him. "My position in the revolution was to serve the interests of the nation and people," he said. "Oppression, injustice compelled me to devote myself to fight for my country. I had to leave my family behind to liberate my motherland from colonialism and aggression, and oppression by the thieves who wished to steal our land and wipe Cambodia off the face of the earth," Chea told the court. 'SMASH TO BITS' Unlike others in Pol Pot's inner circle, Nuon Chea did not study in Paris, and instead read law at Bangkok's prestigious Thammasat University, where he became a member of the Thai Communist Party. He was appointed Deputy Secretary of the Communist Party of Kampuchea, the name the Khmer Rouge used for Cambodia, in 1960, a position that put him in charge of party and state security and Phnom Penh's notorious S-21 interrogation and torture centre at the capital's Tuol Sleng high school. Those carrying out the brutal beatings at S-21 were instructed to "smash to bits" traitors and counter-revolutionaries. Under the chaotic Khmer Rouge ideology, furthered by Chea, that could mean anyone from school teachers to children, to pregnant women and to "intellectuals" identified as such if they were wearing spectacles. On Jan. 5, 1979, two days before the Vietnamese army overran Phnom Penh, Nuon Chea ordered S-21 head Duch to kill all remaining prisoners. Court spokesman Pheaktra did not say how Chea died but added that he had been in hospital since early July. Youk Chhang, director of Documentation Center of Cambodia, an organisation which provided thousands of documents as evidence to the U.N.-backed court which prosecuted the Khmer Rouge, said Nuon Chea had escaped his life sentence by dying. "He was born just like the rest of us, but became driven by power and prejudice against his own people," Youk said. "He can escape justice from the court of law but he can't escape his punishment from God."

Cambodian Khmer Rouge's chief ideologist, 'Brother Number Two', dead at 93

Asian countries turning back wealthy world's waste

Cambodia fined a company more than $250,000 for shipping 1,600 tonnes of plastic waste from the US and Canada, an official said Tuesday, as Southeast Asian countries hit back against an influx of rubbish.&nbsp;

China's decision to ban foreign plastic waste imports last year threw global recycling into chaos as shipping containers filled with trash were rerouted to ports in the region.

The discovery of 83 plastic-filled containers at Cambodia's Sihanoukville port this month fueled outrage among officials, who said the country was not a rubbish bin.&nbsp;

It gave the firm responsible - Chungyuen Plastic Manufacture - until August 24 to send the shipment back to the US and Canada and fined it $254,000.&nbsp;

The company "will face further action through the courts" if it does not comply with the order and pay, Kun Nhim, director-general of Cambodia's customs department, told reporters.&nbsp;

Seventy of the containers are from the US while the remainder came from Canada, he said.&nbsp;

He did not provide details on how they ended up in Sihanoukville.

"It could be that they shipped it to Cambodia temporarily when they could not find a country to accept the waste," he added.&nbsp;

Cambodia is the latest country in Southeast Asia to push back against a growing rubbish crisis. &nbsp;

Indonesia announced earlier this month it was sending back dozens of containers full of waste to France and other developed nations while neighbouring Malaysia said in May it was shipping 450 tonnes of imported plastic waste back to its source.&nbsp;

Around 300 million tonnes of plastic are produced every year, and much of it ends up in landfills or polluting the seas.

Cambodia fined a company more than $250,000 for shipping 1,600 tonnes of plastic waste from the US and Canada, an official said Tuesday, as Southeast Asian countries hit back against an influx of rubbish.

Cambodia fined a company more than $250,000 for shipping 1,600 tonnes of plastic waste from the US and Canada, an official said Tuesday, as Southeast Asian countries hit back against an influx of rubbish. China's decision to ban foreign plastic waste imports last year threw global recycling into chaos as shipping containers filled with trash were rerouted to ports in the region. The discovery of 83 plastic-filled containers at Cambodia's Sihanoukville port this month fueled outrage among officials, who said the country was not a rubbish bin. It gave the firm responsible - Chungyuen Plastic Manufacture - until August 24 to send the shipment back to the US and Canada and fined it $254,000. The company "will face further action through the courts" if it does not comply with the order and pay, Kun Nhim, director-general of Cambodia's customs department, told reporters. Seventy of the containers are from the US while the remainder came from Canada, he said. He did not provide details on how they ended up in Sihanoukville. "It could be that they shipped it to Cambodia temporarily when they could not find a country to accept the waste," he added. Cambodia is the latest country in Southeast Asia to push back against a growing rubbish crisis. Indonesia announced earlier this month it was sending back dozens of containers full of waste to France and other developed nations while neighbouring Malaysia said in May it was shipping 450 tonnes of imported plastic waste back to its source. Around 300 million tonnes of plastic are produced every year, and much of it ends up in landfills or polluting the seas.

Company fined $254,000 for shipping plastic waste to Cambodia

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pakistans-next-double-game-marriage-with-china-affair-with-us-237219">China</a> will be able to place armed forces at a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/three-chinese-warships-dock-in-cambodia-to-boost-ties-military-cooperation-189207">Cambodian naval base</a> under a secret agreement the two nations have reached, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday, although Cambodian officials denied such a deal had been struck.

The agreement, reached this spring but not made public, gives China exclusive access to part of Cambodia's Ream Naval Base on the Gulf of Thailand, the Journal reported, citing US and allied officials familiar with the matter.

Such an arrangement would give China an enhanced ability to assert contested territorial claims and economic interests in the South China Sea, challenging US allies in Southeast Asia. Chinese and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eighteen-dead-24-injured-in-cambodia-building-collapse-229696">Cambodian officials</a> denied such an agreement existed, according to the Journal.

"This is the worst-ever made-up news against Cambodia," Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen told the pro-government news site Fresh News on Monday.

"No such thing could happen because hosting foreign military bases is against the Cambodian constitution," he said.

Cambodian defence ministry spokesman Chhum Socheat told Reuters the report was "made up and baseless".

China, Hun Sen's strongest regional ally, has poured billions of dollars in development assistance and loans into Cambodia through bilateral frameworks and China's Belt and Road initiative.

The initiative, unveiled by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013, aims to bolster a sprawling network of land and sea links with Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Africa.

It has attracted a flood of Chinese commercial ventures in Cambodia, including casinos and special economic zones.

The US&nbsp;Defence Department suggested earlier this month China may be attempting to gain a military foothold in Cambodia in a letter to Cambodia asking why the nation had turned down an offer to repair a naval base.

The State Department urged Cambodia in a statement to reject such an arrangement, saying the nation had a "constitutional commitment to its people to pursue an independent foreign policy."

"We are concerned that any steps by the Cambodian government to invite a foreign military presence in Cambodia would threaten the coherence and centrality of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in coordinating regional developments, and disturb peace and stability in Southeast Asia," the statement said.

Cambodia denied reports last November that Beijing had been lobbying the Southeast Asian country since 2017 for a naval base that could host frigates, destroyers and other vessels of China's People's Liberation Army Navy.

China will be able to place armed forces at a Cambodian naval base under a secret agreement the two nations have reached, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday, although Cambodian officials denied such a deal had been struck.

China will be able to place armed forces at a Cambodian naval base under a secret agreement the two nations have reached, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday, although Cambodian officials denied such a deal had been struck. The agreement, reached this spring but not made public, gives China exclusive access to part of Cambodia's Ream Naval Base on the Gulf of Thailand, the Journal reported, citing US and allied officials familiar with the matter. Such an arrangement would give China an enhanced ability to assert contested territorial claims and economic interests in the South China Sea, challenging US allies in Southeast Asia. Chinese and Cambodian officials denied such an agreement existed, according to the Journal. "This is the worst-ever made-up news against Cambodia," Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen told the pro-government news site Fresh News on Monday. "No such thing could happen because hosting foreign military bases is against the Cambodian constitution," he said. Cambodian defence ministry spokesman Chhum Socheat told Reuters the report was "made up and baseless". China, Hun Sen's strongest regional ally, has poured billions of dollars in development assistance and loans into Cambodia through bilateral frameworks and China's Belt and Road initiative. The initiative, unveiled by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013, aims to bolster a sprawling network of land and sea links with Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Africa. It has attracted a flood of Chinese commercial ventures in Cambodia, including casinos and special economic zones. The US Defence Department suggested earlier this month China may be attempting to gain a military foothold in Cambodia in a letter to Cambodia asking why the nation had turned down an offer to repair a naval base. The State Department urged Cambodia in a statement to reject such an arrangement, saying the nation had a "constitutional commitment to its people to pursue an independent foreign policy." "We are concerned that any steps by the Cambodian government to invite a foreign military presence in Cambodia would threaten the coherence and centrality of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in coordinating regional developments, and disturb peace and stability in Southeast Asia," the statement said. Cambodia denied reports last November that Beijing had been lobbying the Southeast Asian country since 2017 for a naval base that could host frigates, destroyers and other vessels of China's People's Liberation Army Navy.

Cambodia denies deal to allow armed Chinese forces at its naval base

Big US companies are accelerating efforts to move more of their supply chains from China to neighbouring countries in light of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-administration-plans-to-divert-40-million-in-aid-to-venezuelas-opposition-236654">Trump administration</a> tariffs.

Companies in sectors such as technology, clothing and footwear are exporting more goods from emerging giants including Vietnam and Malaysia, data show.

At the same time, the shift has exposed the murkiness of trade export rules, putting a premium on lawyers expert in the minutiae of US customs rules.

"We have a lot of questions from our members," said Sage Chandler, vice president of international trade at the Consumer Technology Association. "Companies are trying to find ways to avoid having to pay 25 per cent."&nbsp;

Some companies may be pushing the envelope a little too much, violating US rules against "transhipments," the routing of China-made goods through other countries to evade tariffs, legal experts say.

The speeding shift from China&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-donald-trump-seeks-to-override-supreme-court-ruling-on-census-233448">President Donald Trump</a> since last year has slapped 25 per cent duties on $250 billion worth of Chinese imports and threatened additional levies on all other Chinese items coming to the United States though the two sides agreed last month to hold their fire for now.

Trump's trade measures have led some multinationals to fortify their North American operations and others to transfer some manufacturing capacity from China to any number of countries, including Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, the Philipines, Bangladesh, India and Ethiopia.

Exports of computers and electronics from Vietnam to the United States have risen 71.6 per cent in the first five months of 2019 compared with the year-ago period, according to government data.&nbsp;

The pattern has also held for other machines and equipment, with exports from Vietnam rising 54.4 per cent over that period.

Even before Trump targeted China on trade, US companies had been reducing their dependence on China because of increasing production costs and elevated transport expenses compared with other Asian countries.

But the trade war has sped up those moves.

Ralph Lauren has "accelerated the diversification of our supply chain to mitigate the long-term impact of any potential tariff outcomes," said a spokesperson for the clothing company, adding that tariffs have so far not hit the company's goods.

Xcel Brands, which owns Isaac Mizrahi, Judith Ripka and other fashion houses, will cease manufacturing in China in 2020, a big shift from two years ago when the country was the source of 100 per cent of its merchandise.&nbsp;

The company has moved clothes-making operations to Vietnam, Cambodia and Bangladesh, and is exploring adding capacity in Central America, Mexico and Canada.

This retooling, which was in the works before the tariffs, could boost profit margins, said Xcel chief executive Robert D'Loren. The trade war with China "accelerated our sourcing diversification efforts," he said.&nbsp;

A decade ago, more than 90 per cent of US footwear was made in China. But today, the figure is 69 per cent, said Matt Priest, president of Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America.

Problem solved

Yet shifting production outside of China to other Asian centres is not necessarily a panacea.&nbsp;

Many of these countries lack the roads, airports and other vital infrastructure of the world's second-biggest economy. And there is no guarantee that the emerging manufacturing venues will be safe from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-says-us-tariffs-must-be-lifted-to-reach-a-deal-to-end-trade-war-232996">US tariffs</a> down the road.

Companies can also run afoul of US law if goods are made in China and then sent to an intermediate destination to dodge US tariffs.

"I have noticed an upswing in the number of tariff evasion cases that have been made public and also in the number of inquiries my firm has received," said Jeff Newman, a Boston attorney.

A June Wall Street Journal report showed that billions of dollars of Chinese-made goods were being rerouted in this manner through Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines.

US customers officials did not respond to request for comment.

Retail giants such as Walmart and Target say significantly reducing their reliance on Chinese-made goods is unrealistic because of the demand for low prices.

That means retailers are more likely to stop producing goods with very low-profit margins than to incur additional costs by moving production out of China, according to Priest of the footwear distributors association.&nbsp;

He points to flip flops, which earn returns of only around six or seven per cent.

"It won't be worth moving to Vietnam for six or seven per cent-margin shoes," Priest said.&nbsp;

"That shoe is not worth it."

Big US companies are accelerating efforts to move more of their supply chains from China to neighbouring countries in light of Trump administration tariffs. Companies in sectors such as technology, clothing and footwear are exporting more goods from emerging giants including Vietnam and Malaysia, data show.

Big US companies are accelerating efforts to move more of their supply chains from China to neighbouring countries in light of Trump administration tariffs. Companies in sectors such as technology, clothing and footwear are exporting more goods from emerging giants including Vietnam and Malaysia, data show. At the same time, the shift has exposed the murkiness of trade export rules, putting a premium on lawyers expert in the minutiae of US customs rules. "We have a lot of questions from our members," said Sage Chandler, vice president of international trade at the Consumer Technology Association. "Companies are trying to find ways to avoid having to pay 25 per cent." Some companies may be pushing the envelope a little too much, violating US rules against "transhipments," the routing of China-made goods through other countries to evade tariffs, legal experts say. The speeding shift from China President Donald Trump since last year has slapped 25 per cent duties on $250 billion worth of Chinese imports and threatened additional levies on all other Chinese items coming to the United States though the two sides agreed last month to hold their fire for now. Trump's trade measures have led some multinationals to fortify their North American operations and others to transfer some manufacturing capacity from China to any number of countries, including Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, the Philipines, Bangladesh, India and Ethiopia. Exports of computers and electronics from Vietnam to the United States have risen 71.6 per cent in the first five months of 2019 compared with the year-ago period, according to government data. The pattern has also held for other machines and equipment, with exports from Vietnam rising 54.4 per cent over that period. Even before Trump targeted China on trade, US companies had been reducing their dependence on China because of increasing production costs and elevated transport expenses compared with other Asian countries. But the trade war has sped up those moves. Ralph Lauren has "accelerated the diversification of our supply chain to mitigate the long-term impact of any potential tariff outcomes," said a spokesperson for the clothing company, adding that tariffs have so far not hit the company's goods. Xcel Brands, which owns Isaac Mizrahi, Judith Ripka and other fashion houses, will cease manufacturing in China in 2020, a big shift from two years ago when the country was the source of 100 per cent of its merchandise. The company has moved clothes-making operations to Vietnam, Cambodia and Bangladesh, and is exploring adding capacity in Central America, Mexico and Canada. This retooling, which was in the works before the tariffs, could boost profit margins, said Xcel chief executive Robert D'Loren. The trade war with China "accelerated our sourcing diversification efforts," he said. A decade ago, more than 90 per cent of US footwear was made in China. But today, the figure is 69 per cent, said Matt Priest, president of Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America. Problem solved Yet shifting production outside of China to other Asian centres is not necessarily a panacea. Many of these countries lack the roads, airports and other vital infrastructure of the world's second-biggest economy. And there is no guarantee that the emerging manufacturing venues will be safe from US tariffs down the road. Companies can also run afoul of US law if goods are made in China and then sent to an intermediate destination to dodge US tariffs. "I have noticed an upswing in the number of tariff evasion cases that have been made public and also in the number of inquiries my firm has received," said Jeff Newman, a Boston attorney. A June Wall Street Journal report showed that billions of dollars of Chinese-made goods were being rerouted in this manner through Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines. US customers officials did not respond to request for comment. Retail giants such as Walmart and Target say significantly reducing their reliance on Chinese-made goods is unrealistic because of the demand for low prices. That means retailers are more likely to stop producing goods with very low-profit margins than to incur additional costs by moving production out of China, according to Priest of the footwear distributors association. He points to flip flops, which earn returns of only around six or seven per cent. "It won't be worth moving to Vietnam for six or seven per cent-margin shoes," Priest said. "That shoe is not worth it."

US importers find ways to adapt to, skirt Donald Trump's tariffs

Cambodian Ouk Vanday is on a mission to put the piles of discarded rubbish around his neighbourhood to good use. He has built a cafe using stacks of beer bottles to make up a wall, and dead leaves to spell out the coffee shop's name -- 'Rubbish Cafe'.

Inside a Cambodian cafe built out of rubbish

The death toll from the weekend collapse of a seven-story building in Cambodia’s seaside resort city of Sihanoukville has risen to 25, authorities said Monday as the search for the missing continued.

Death toll rises to 25 in Cambodia building collapse

Eighteen people were killed when an under-construction building in Cambodia collapsed early on Saturday, an official said, as rescuers struggled to reach missing workers feared trapped under a mountain of twisted steel and rubble.

The seven-storey steel and concrete structure in the coastal town of Sihanoukville, west of the capital Phnom Penh, was a Chinese-owned project.

At least 24 people were injured and some workers had been trapped inside the building soon after it collapsed, according to the office of the spokesman for the local province of Preah Sihanouk.

"The steel structure has collapsed on itself and we don't dare move it," the spokesman Oar Saroeun told Reuters on Saturday. "We can only wait and listen for any signs of life...

"We are afraid more of it will collapse on them.... We will work through the night to remove the steel."

A statement issued on Sunday by Preah Sihanouk Province officials said 40% of the debris from the site had been cleared. It was not clear how many more people were missing.

Photos of the scene shared on social media showed groups of rescuers working their way through a crumpled heap of steel girders and concrete.

Preah Sihanouk province and its largest town, Sihanoukville, has seen a rush of investment in recent years from China, especially into the casino, property and tourism sectors.

Home to Cambodia's largest port and a Chinese Special Economic Zone connected to Beijing's Belt and Road initiative, the town is also undergoing a construction boom to serve growing crowds of Chinese tourists and investors.

Police have detained four people, including three construction supervisors, for questioning in relation to the accident, according to a statement from the province.

Eighteen people were killed when an under-construction building in Cambodia collapsed early on Saturday, an official said, as rescuers struggled to reach missing workers feared trapped under a mountain of twisted steel and rubble.

Eighteen people were killed when an under-construction building in Cambodia collapsed early on Saturday, an official said, as rescuers struggled to reach missing workers feared trapped under a mountain of twisted steel and rubble. The seven-storey steel and concrete structure in the coastal town of Sihanoukville, west of the capital Phnom Penh, was a Chinese-owned project. At least 24 people were injured and some workers had been trapped inside the building soon after it collapsed, according to the office of the spokesman for the local province of Preah Sihanouk. "The steel structure has collapsed on itself and we don't dare move it," the spokesman Oar Saroeun told Reuters on Saturday. "We can only wait and listen for any signs of life... "We are afraid more of it will collapse on them.... We will work through the night to remove the steel." A statement issued on Sunday by Preah Sihanouk Province officials said 40% of the debris from the site had been cleared. It was not clear how many more people were missing. Photos of the scene shared on social media showed groups of rescuers working their way through a crumpled heap of steel girders and concrete. Preah Sihanouk province and its largest town, Sihanoukville, has seen a rush of investment in recent years from China, especially into the casino, property and tourism sectors. Home to Cambodia's largest port and a Chinese Special Economic Zone connected to Beijing's Belt and Road initiative, the town is also undergoing a construction boom to serve growing crowds of Chinese tourists and investors. Police have detained four people, including three construction supervisors, for questioning in relation to the accident, according to a statement from the province.

Eighteen dead, 24 injured in Cambodia building collapse

Thirteen people were killed when an under-construction building in Cambodia collapsed early on Saturday, an official said, as rescuers struggled to reach missing workers feared trapped under a mountain of twisted steel and rubble.

The seven-storey steel and concrete structure in the coastal town of Sihanoukville, west of the capital Phnom Penh, was a Chinese-owned project.

At least 23 people were injured and many workers were still missing and feared trapped inside, according to the office of the spokesman for the local province of Preah Sihanouk.

"The steel structure has collapsed on itself and we don't dare move it," the spokesman Oar Saroeun told Reuters. "We can only wait and listen for any signs of life...

"We are afraid more of it will collapse on them.... We will work through the night to remove the steel."

A statement issued later on Saturday by Preah Sihanouk Province officials said 36 workers had been rescued from the debris. It was not clear how many more were missing.

Photos of the scene shared on social media showed groups of rescuers working their way through a crumpled heap of steel girders and concrete.

Preah Sihanouk province and its largest town, Sihanoukville, has seen a rush of investment in recent years from China, especially into the casino, property and tourism sectors.

Home to Cambodia's largest port and a Chinese Special Economic Zone connected to Beijing's Belt and Road initiative, the town is also undergoing a construction boom to serve those growing crowds of Chinese tourists and investors.

Police have detained four people, including three construction supervisors, for questioning in relation to the accident, according to a statement from the province.

Thirteen people were killed when an under-construction building in Cambodia collapsed early on Saturday, an official said, as rescuers struggled to reach missing workers feared trapped under a mountain of twisted steel and rubble.

Thirteen people were killed when an under-construction building in Cambodia collapsed early on Saturday, an official said, as rescuers struggled to reach missing workers feared trapped under a mountain of twisted steel and rubble. The seven-storey steel and concrete structure in the coastal town of Sihanoukville, west of the capital Phnom Penh, was a Chinese-owned project. At least 23 people were injured and many workers were still missing and feared trapped inside, according to the office of the spokesman for the local province of Preah Sihanouk. "The steel structure has collapsed on itself and we don't dare move it," the spokesman Oar Saroeun told Reuters. "We can only wait and listen for any signs of life... "We are afraid more of it will collapse on them.... We will work through the night to remove the steel." A statement issued later on Saturday by Preah Sihanouk Province officials said 36 workers had been rescued from the debris. It was not clear how many more were missing. Photos of the scene shared on social media showed groups of rescuers working their way through a crumpled heap of steel girders and concrete. Preah Sihanouk province and its largest town, Sihanoukville, has seen a rush of investment in recent years from China, especially into the casino, property and tourism sectors. Home to Cambodia's largest port and a Chinese Special Economic Zone connected to Beijing's Belt and Road initiative, the town is also undergoing a construction boom to serve those growing crowds of Chinese tourists and investors. Police have detained four people, including three construction supervisors, for questioning in relation to the accident, according to a statement from the province.

Thirteen dead, 23 injured in Cambodia building collapse

Cambodian actors on Monday (May 20) re-enacted scenes of civilians being killed by Khmer Rouge soldiers to remember the millions who died during the murderous Maoist regime that came to an end 40 years ago.

Cambodians re-enact genocidal horrors to remember those killed in Khmer Rouge regime

The European Union started an 18-month process on Monday that could lead to the suspension of Cambodia's duty-free trade access over its record on human rights and democracy.

The European Commission, which coordinates trade policy for the 28-member EU, said that its decision to start the process would be published in the EU official journal on February 12, triggering a countdown that could run until August 2020.

Cambodia benefits from the EU's "Everything but Arms" (EBA) trade regime, which allows the world's poorest countries to sell any goods, except weapons, tariff-free into the bloc.

The EU warned Cambodia last July that it could lose this special status after elections maintained Prime Minister Hun Sen in power and gave his party all parliamentary seats. He has led the country since 1985.

Cambodia said the move was unfortunate but expected: "I had little doubt about it. And I regret the decision," said a foreign ministry spokesman.

The EU is Cambodia's largest trading partner, accounting for 45 per cent of its exports in 2018. Clothing factories there employ around 700,000 workers, and garments are a large share of exports to the bloc worth some 4.9 billion euros.

The European Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia, representing European businesses, said the move was counterproductive to the aim of such trade programmes to eradicate poverty in vulnerable developing countries, and dialogue was the most effective tool.

Cambodia is the second largest user of EBA preferences, behind only Bangladesh. Businesses and unions there last month urged the European Union not to withdraw the preferences, saying such a decision would harm millions of workers and their families.

The European Commission said that its goal was to ensure Cambodia improved the situation for its people, with withdrawal of preferences only a last resort.

"It should be clear that today's move is neither a final decision nor the end of the process. But the clock is now officially ticking and we need to see real action soon," EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom said in a statement.

EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini said the EU recognised Cambodian authorities had taken positive steps in recent months, such as releasing political figures and addressing some restrictions on civil society and trade union activities.

"However, without more conclusive action from the government, the situation on the ground calls Cambodia's participation in the EBA scheme into question," she said.

The process consists of six months of monitoring and talks with the Cambodian authorities followed by another half-year period for the Commission to produce a report and take a decision on whether or not to withdraw the trade preferences.

Any withdrawal would take effect after a further six months.

The European Union started an 18-month process on Monday that could lead to the suspension of Cambodia's duty-free trade access over its record on human rights and democracy.

The European Union started an 18-month process on Monday that could lead to the suspension of Cambodia's duty-free trade access over its record on human rights and democracy. The European Commission, which coordinates trade policy for the 28-member EU, said that its decision to start the process would be published in the EU official journal on February 12, triggering a countdown that could run until August 2020. Cambodia benefits from the EU's "Everything but Arms" (EBA) trade regime, which allows the world's poorest countries to sell any goods, except weapons, tariff-free into the bloc. The EU warned Cambodia last July that it could lose this special status after elections maintained Prime Minister Hun Sen in power and gave his party all parliamentary seats. He has led the country since 1985. Cambodia said the move was unfortunate but expected: "I had little doubt about it. And I regret the decision," said a foreign ministry spokesman. The EU is Cambodia's largest trading partner, accounting for 45 per cent of its exports in 2018. Clothing factories there employ around 700,000 workers, and garments are a large share of exports to the bloc worth some 4.9 billion euros. The European Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia, representing European businesses, said the move was counterproductive to the aim of such trade programmes to eradicate poverty in vulnerable developing countries, and dialogue was the most effective tool. Cambodia is the second largest user of EBA preferences, behind only Bangladesh. Businesses and unions there last month urged the European Union not to withdraw the preferences, saying such a decision would harm millions of workers and their families. The European Commission said that its goal was to ensure Cambodia improved the situation for its people, with withdrawal of preferences only a last resort. "It should be clear that today's move is neither a final decision nor the end of the process. But the clock is now officially ticking and we need to see real action soon," EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom said in a statement. EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini said the EU recognised Cambodian authorities had taken positive steps in recent months, such as releasing political figures and addressing some restrictions on civil society and trade union activities. "However, without more conclusive action from the government, the situation on the ground calls Cambodia's participation in the EBA scheme into question," she said. The process consists of six months of monitoring and talks with the Cambodian authorities followed by another half-year period for the Commission to produce a report and take a decision on whether or not to withdraw the trade preferences. Any withdrawal would take effect after a further six months.

EU begins process to hit Cambodia with trade sanctions

Cambodia renewed calls for arrest of veteran <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/one-party-rule-terrible-setback-for-cambodia-opposition-chief-156171">opposition chief Sam Rainsy</a> on Monday amid the threat of sanctions by the European Union, its biggest garment export market worth billions of euros a year, over human rights concerns.

Sam Rainsy's opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) was dissolved by the Supreme Court in 2017 and 118 CNRP members were banned from politics ahead of the 2018 general election.

Long-time Prime Minister Hun Sen won every seat in the July vote and the European Union warned that it would strip Cambodia of its "Everything but Arms" duty-free trading access.

Hun Sen this month threatened to retaliate against the opposition if the European Union withdrew duty-free trading access.

Sam Rainsy, who lives in France where he fled in 2015 after a conviction for defamation, has said that he will return to Cambodia sometime this year.

Two arrest warrants for Sam Rainsy from 2015 were republished in a messaging app Telegram for public officials on Monday for defamation and using false public documents and incitement to cause social instability.

A spokesman for the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) warned that a third party might kill Sam Rainsy and blame the government if he returns.

"If convict Sam Rainsy dares to enter Cambodia, there may be a third party shooting to kill convict Sam Rainsy and put the blame on the royal government of Cambodia," Sok Eysan told Reuters.

Sam Rainsy didn't respond to a request for comment. He has said in the past that the convictions are politically motivated.

Cambodian businesses and unions urged the European Union last week not to withdraw trade preferences, saying such a decision would pose serious economic damage and harm millions of workers and their families, especially rural women.

Cambodia renewed calls for arrest of veteran opposition chief Sam Rainsy on Monday amid the threat of sanctions by the European Union, its biggest garment export market worth billions of euros a year, over human rights concerns.

Cambodia renewed calls for arrest of veteran opposition chief Sam Rainsy on Monday amid the threat of sanctions by the European Union, its biggest garment export market worth billions of euros a year, over human rights concerns. Sam Rainsy's opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) was dissolved by the Supreme Court in 2017 and 118 CNRP members were banned from politics ahead of the 2018 general election. Long-time Prime Minister Hun Sen won every seat in the July vote and the European Union warned that it would strip Cambodia of its "Everything but Arms" duty-free trading access. Hun Sen this month threatened to retaliate against the opposition if the European Union withdrew duty-free trading access. Sam Rainsy, who lives in France where he fled in 2015 after a conviction for defamation, has said that he will return to Cambodia sometime this year. Two arrest warrants for Sam Rainsy from 2015 were republished in a messaging app Telegram for public officials on Monday for defamation and using false public documents and incitement to cause social instability. A spokesman for the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) warned that a third party might kill Sam Rainsy and blame the government if he returns. "If convict Sam Rainsy dares to enter Cambodia, there may be a third party shooting to kill convict Sam Rainsy and put the blame on the royal government of Cambodia," Sok Eysan told Reuters. Sam Rainsy didn't respond to a request for comment. He has said in the past that the convictions are politically motivated. Cambodian businesses and unions urged the European Union last week not to withdraw trade preferences, saying such a decision would pose serious economic damage and harm millions of workers and their families, especially rural women.

Cambodia seeks opposition leader's arrest amid EU sanctions threat

Cambodia and <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/thailand-top-court-orders-compensation-for-myanmar-workers-in-landmark-case-190503&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwiHqZ2PkfffAhXJpI8KHeoDDlAQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw0X-0uCGzvL2F0rEIVdNcsw">Myanmar</a> have railed at the European Commission for resuming tariffs on millions of dollars of rice, with one ministry describing the move as a "weapon" against already poor farmers.

The EC reimposed duties of up to 175 euros ($200) per tonne of Indica rice from the two countries for three years following intensive lobbying by Italy, who said cheap imports were damaging its farmers.

While it is unconnected, the EC decision comes against the backdrop of threats to remove both Southeast Asian countries from its Everything But Arms (EBA) scheme because of human rights abuses.

The EBA deal allows developing countries access to export a broad array of goods — including rice —to European markets without shouldering tariffs.

The EC found that Indica rice imports from Cambodia and Myanmar had increased by 89 per cent in the last five seasons.

But Cambodia's ministry of commerce said the complaint was based on inaccurate information and would hurt farmers in one of Southeast Asia's poorest countries.

It is a "weapon to kill them and their families who are in debt", it said late Thursday.

Nearly half of Cambodia's 625,000 tonnes of exported rice went to EU markets last year, according to government data.

Ye Min Aung, of Myanmar's Rice Federation, also slammed the move, saying its rice exports to the EU amounted to around $100 million annually.

"We request the EU to keep helping us," he said. "Our country has many difficulties to overcome."

This week Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen threatened "to step on the throat" of his political rivals if the EU ended the Anything But Arms deal, which would hit the kingdom's cash-cow garment sector the hardest.

Removing EU trade preferences is a long, drawn-out process that can take several months. 
&nbsp;

Cambodia and Myanmar have railed at the European Commission for resuming tariffs on millions of dollars of rice, with one ministry describing the move as a "weapon" against already poor farmers.

Cambodia and Myanmar have railed at the European Commission for resuming tariffs on millions of dollars of rice, with one ministry describing the move as a "weapon" against already poor farmers. The EC reimposed duties of up to 175 euros ($200) per tonne of Indica rice from the two countries for three years following intensive lobbying by Italy, who said cheap imports were damaging its farmers. While it is unconnected, the EC decision comes against the backdrop of threats to remove both Southeast Asian countries from its Everything But Arms (EBA) scheme because of human rights abuses. The EBA deal allows developing countries access to export a broad array of goods — including rice —to European markets without shouldering tariffs. The EC found that Indica rice imports from Cambodia and Myanmar had increased by 89 per cent in the last five seasons. But Cambodia's ministry of commerce said the complaint was based on inaccurate information and would hurt farmers in one of Southeast Asia's poorest countries. It is a "weapon to kill them and their families who are in debt", it said late Thursday. Nearly half of Cambodia's 625,000 tonnes of exported rice went to EU markets last year, according to government data. Ye Min Aung, of Myanmar's Rice Federation, also slammed the move, saying its rice exports to the EU amounted to around $100 million annually. "We request the EU to keep helping us," he said. "Our country has many difficulties to overcome." This week Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen threatened "to step on the throat" of his political rivals if the EU ended the Anything But Arms deal, which would hit the kingdom's cash-cow garment sector the hardest. Removing EU trade preferences is a long, drawn-out process that can take several months.

Cambodia, Myanmar hit out at tough EU rice tariffs

The killing fields of Cambodia, infamous prisons like S-21 in Phnom Penh and multiple genocide memorials are one amongst many markers which tourists are exposed to when they visit Cambodia. It first generates the feeling of great sorrow and horror, and then of surprise that a country known for gentle conviviality and humbleness was once steeped in a situation where a section of the society killed 20 per cent of its own population within three years in the name of renewal, progress and growth.

It can be counter-argued that similar violence and killings were witnessed during Stalin's era in Russia and the Chinese Great Leap Forward as both were inspired by extreme of the Communist ideology which was hell bent on building a new society in a short span of time and had no view of an individual apart from being a component of a larger project.

I would say that the Cambodian experience was different as genocide did not take place on ethnic or religious lines like Nazi Germany or Russian pogroms. It was short and traumatic.

There are jails in Cambodia where within three years, 18,000 people were killed in the most brutal fashion. There are fields where hundreds and thousands lie buried. The regime killed between 1.7 to 2.5 million people of a population of eight million people in 1975.

<img alt="Cambodia Killing Tree" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="963ffcb5-df33-4f7e-938a-6b94906b38c8" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/cambodia-killing-tree.jpg" />

One of the reminders of brutal killings in Cambodia. (Photo: Kartikeya Sharma)

Cambodia also hides a brutal past of hunger, deprivation, bombings, lack of full democracy, and post-colonial power play. I was surprised to find out that US forces used three times more ammunition in Cambodia than what they dropped on Japan during entire World War II. The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/cambodia-diary-khmer-rouge-tragedy-rural-gulags-188313">brutal Khmer Rouge</a> got more support from international powers at UN than the people who were at the receiving end of the regime. Despite all the upheavals and one party sticking to power for last two decades, Cambodia is stable. The country has been able to address the ghosts of past by memoralising the violence akin to what Germany did after the Second World War.

Most of the museums and sites tell you about the actual stories of the killings. <a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/ramayana-and-mahabharata-indias-two-oldest-and-most-durable-brand-ambassadors-188417">Tourists destinations</a> like Angkor Wat will have people playing music at open spaces who lost their limbs in war or because of buried, undiscovered bombs and land mines.

<img alt="Cambodia 1" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="35b1ea10-8050-46b1-8c1d-2067faaefcf9" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/cambodia-1.jpg" />

A plaque describing how the executions were carried out.(Photo: Kartikeya Sharma)

In many places, tourists will find survivors of the genocide selling books written about them. The role of those behind the killings have been documented in great detail. Individual stories too have been given space. The evidence of violence is preserved as a reminder of the horror which Cambodia witnessed. A preface at one such genocide memorial read, "The stories of those who survived the atrocities committed by Khmer Rouge must be memoralised in public spaces beyond the court, not only for sake of justice and reconciliation but also facilitate the education of generations to come."

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/photos/cambodia-diaries-a-visit-to-the-temple-complexes-188425">Also See: A pictorial journey to Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom</a>

Has India done anything of this sort? The violence during Partition was one of the biggest of its kind. Millions were massacred. But do we have a national memorial dedicated to victims of violence funded by the state where the world can see as to what happens when events like these take place?

India has seen violence along the caste, class, religion and ethnic lines throughout its existence as an independent nation state but has failed to create similar educational experience which re-tells the tales of horror and sadness. The attempt by the political parties has been either to find an enemy outside and within to build a space for collective revenge. It is for this reason that episodes like 1984 and post-Godhra violence could go out of hand. This is apart from thousands of riots and ethnic killings which has taken place across India from the North to Northeast. Instead there is a culture of looking away which has built over a period of time.

A small initiative has been taken by the Punjab government by opening a Partition museum which showcases the stories, material and documents on post-Partition violence. The museum was inaugurated last year in Amritsar but none exist at the national scale with intention to educate the coming generation.

It is obvious that India cannot build thousands of memorials and museums on riots and killings but we need our future generations to know about the threat which looms within. The threat is of underestimating the power of bias and hatred. Both are basic ingredients required to kill empathy which is the glue which binds civil society together and keeps the moral fabric functioning. The only way apathy can be broken is to remind the young generation of futility of hostility and bias in civic discourse where a section feels that the other needs to be taught a lesson.

The memoralisation of leaders and powerful figures have become a standard in Indian public life. India needs to build a memorial for those who became victim of violence right under the nose of the mighty state. We can start by putting faces to it which can be a road to healing and reconciliation.

In its absence, the memories at the national stage would either fade away or would be too scattered to have any resonance for the coming generation. India today cannot continue to take shelter behind success in organising elections every 5 years. Time has come to do more. 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The killing fields of Cambodia, infamous prisons like S-21 in Phnom Penh and multiple genocide memorials are one amongst many markers which tourists are exposed to when they visit Cambodia.

The killing fields of Cambodia, infamous prisons like S-21 in Phnom Penh and multiple genocide memorials are one amongst many markers which tourists are exposed to when they visit Cambodia. It first generates the feeling of great sorrow and horror, and then of surprise that a country known for gentle conviviality and humbleness was once steeped in a situation where a section of the society killed 20 per cent of its own population within three years in the name of renewal, progress and growth. It can be counter-argued that similar violence and killings were witnessed during Stalin's era in Russia and the Chinese Great Leap Forward as both were inspired by extreme of the Communist ideology which was hell bent on building a new society in a short span of time and had no view of an individual apart from being a component of a larger project. I would say that the Cambodian experience was different as genocide did not take place on ethnic or religious lines like Nazi Germany or Russian pogroms. It was short and traumatic. There are jails in Cambodia where within three years, 18,000 people were killed in the most brutal fashion. There are fields where hundreds and thousands lie buried. The regime killed between 1.7 to 2.5 million people of a population of eight million people in 1975. One of the reminders of brutal killings in Cambodia. (Photo: Kartikeya Sharma) Cambodia also hides a brutal past of hunger, deprivation, bombings, lack of full democracy, and post-colonial power play. I was surprised to find out that US forces used three times more ammunition in Cambodia than what they dropped on Japan during entire World War II. The brutal Khmer Rouge got more support from international powers at UN than the people who were at the receiving end of the regime. Despite all the upheavals and one party sticking to power for last two decades, Cambodia is stable. The country has been able to address the ghosts of past by memoralising the violence akin to what Germany did after the Second World War. Most of the museums and sites tell you about the actual stories of the killings. Tourists destinations like Angkor Wat will have people playing music at open spaces who lost their limbs in war or because of buried, undiscovered bombs and land mines. A plaque describing how the executions were carried out.(Photo: Kartikeya Sharma) In many places, tourists will find survivors of the genocide selling books written about them. The role of those behind the killings have been documented in great detail. Individual stories too have been given space. The evidence of violence is preserved as a reminder of the horror which Cambodia witnessed. A preface at one such genocide memorial read, "The stories of those who survived the atrocities committed by Khmer Rouge must be memoralised in public spaces beyond the court, not only for sake of justice and reconciliation but also facilitate the education of generations to come." Also See: A pictorial journey to Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom Has India done anything of this sort? The violence during Partition was one of the biggest of its kind. Millions were massacred. But do we have a national memorial dedicated to victims of violence funded by the state where the world can see as to what happens when events like these take place? India has seen violence along the caste, class, religion and ethnic lines throughout its existence as an independent nation state but has failed to create similar educational experience which re-tells the tales of horror and sadness. The attempt by the political parties has been either to find an enemy outside and within to build a space for collective revenge. It is for this reason that episodes like 1984 and post-Godhra violence could go out of hand. This is apart from thousands of riots and ethnic killings which has taken place across India from the North to Northeast. Instead there is a culture of looking away which has built over a period of time. A small initiative has been taken by the Punjab government by opening a Partition museum which showcases the stories, material and documents on post-Partition violence. The museum was inaugurated last year in Amritsar but none exist at the national scale with intention to educate the coming generation. It is obvious that India cannot build thousands of memorials and museums on riots and killings but we need our future generations to know about the threat which looms within. The threat is of underestimating the power of bias and hatred. Both are basic ingredients required to kill empathy which is the glue which binds civil society together and keeps the moral fabric functioning. The only way apathy can be broken is to remind the young generation of futility of hostility and bias in civic discourse where a section feels that the other needs to be taught a lesson. The memoralisation of leaders and powerful figures have become a standard in Indian public life. India needs to build a memorial for those who became victim of violence right under the nose of the mighty state. We can start by putting faces to it which can be a road to healing and reconciliation. In its absence, the memories at the national stage would either fade away or would be too scattered to have any resonance for the coming generation. India today cannot continue to take shelter behind success in organising elections every 5 years. Time has come to do more. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Killing fields of Cambodia: What India can learn

Three hulking Chinese warships <a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/ramayana-and-mahabharata-indias-two-oldest-and-most-durable-brand-ambassadors-188417">docked in Cambodia</a>&nbsp;Wednesday for a four-day visit, as Beijing parades its naval prowess alongside its staunch Southeast Asian ally.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/cambodia-diary-an-eye-opener-china-influence-188314">China is the largest investor in Cambodia</a>&nbsp;and has pumped billions into the economy while asking few questions about its abysmal rights record.

While doling out cash China has also sought high-profile military exchanges, fuelling speculation that it is building a naval base off the Cambodian coast, claims vehemently denied by Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Several joint military exercises have also taken place while in June Beijing promised $100 million to modernise Cambodia's armed forces.

The three warships, the longest 180 metres (590 feet), stopped at Cambodia's Sihanoukville port for a visit to January 12, Cambodian defence ministry spokesman Chhum Socheat told AFP.

"The goal of the visit is to boost ties and military cooperation, especially between the navies from both countries," he said, dismissing suggestions that the display was about touting "Chinese influence".

He said the Chinese navy delegate would meet with Cambodian military commanders and Defence Minister Tea Banh during the visit.

Rumours that China has been building an ae base off Cambodia's southwest coast have been swirling for years but reached new levels after Hun Sen said US President Vice President Mike Pence sent him a letter about it in November.&nbsp;

The strongman leader, who has been in power for more than three decades, said Cambodia would not allow foreign military bases on its soil.

In return for its longstanding support, Cambodia has proved a reliable ally among the ASEAN Southeast Asian bloc regarding disputes with China over its activities in the South China Sea.

Beijing's claims in the waterway have angered the Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia who all have competing for claims to its islands and potentially resource-rich waters.

China has also backed Cambodia on sensitive issues, including a controversial election in July held without the opposition.

The mutual support comes as US influence declines.

Cambodia accused the US of conspiring with an opposition leader to overthrow the government and suspended military exchanges with the country.&nbsp;

But while Chinese-bankrolled developments may have fanned growth they risk incubating resentment among some Cambodians who fear the country is increasingly in the pocket of the regional superpower. 
&nbsp;

Three hulking Chinese warships docked in Cambodia Wednesday for a four-day visit, as Beijing parades its naval prowess alongside its staunch Southeast Asian ally.

Three hulking Chinese warships docked in Cambodia Wednesday for a four-day visit, as Beijing parades its naval prowess alongside its staunch Southeast Asian ally. China is the largest investor in Cambodia and has pumped billions into the economy while asking few questions about its abysmal rights record. While doling out cash China has also sought high-profile military exchanges, fuelling speculation that it is building a naval base off the Cambodian coast, claims vehemently denied by Prime Minister Hun Sen. Several joint military exercises have also taken place while in June Beijing promised $100 million to modernise Cambodia's armed forces. The three warships, the longest 180 metres (590 feet), stopped at Cambodia's Sihanoukville port for a visit to January 12, Cambodian defence ministry spokesman Chhum Socheat told AFP. "The goal of the visit is to boost ties and military cooperation, especially between the navies from both countries," he said, dismissing suggestions that the display was about touting "Chinese influence". He said the Chinese navy delegate would meet with Cambodian military commanders and Defence Minister Tea Banh during the visit. Rumours that China has been building an ae base off Cambodia's southwest coast have been swirling for years but reached new levels after Hun Sen said US President Vice President Mike Pence sent him a letter about it in November. The strongman leader, who has been in power for more than three decades, said Cambodia would not allow foreign military bases on its soil. In return for its longstanding support, Cambodia has proved a reliable ally among the ASEAN Southeast Asian bloc regarding disputes with China over its activities in the South China Sea. Beijing's claims in the waterway have angered the Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia who all have competing for claims to its islands and potentially resource-rich waters. China has also backed Cambodia on sensitive issues, including a controversial election in July held without the opposition. The mutual support comes as US influence declines. Cambodia accused the US of conspiring with an opposition leader to overthrow the government and suspended military exchanges with the country. But while Chinese-bankrolled developments may have fanned growth they risk incubating resentment among some Cambodians who fear the country is increasingly in the pocket of the regional superpower.

Three Chinese warships dock in Cambodia

Cambodia Diaries: A pictorial journey to Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom- Temple complexes

My first day in Cambodia was an <a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/cambodia-diary-khmer-rouge-tragedy-rural-gulags-188313">eye-opener since the hospitality industry</a> has deep roots and the country has done well after the war, I assumed that some things are a given about a society. But what meets the eye is not the truth. The glitzy hotels and the tourist-oriented sector can hide a lot of simple facts.&nbsp;

I wanted to swim and realized that I have left the trunk back in Delhi. In order to make a quick buy, I asked my guide to take me to any shop for a swimming trunk. The hotel owners too informed me that it would be available in the city. When I asked the guide about the shop he replied,"it would be little difficult. People in Cambodia like to take bath in their homes. They do not go to 5-star hotels for a bath.” I said,"boss, swimming is an exercise.” He retorted,"even the rich do not have swimming pools in their homes and they have to go to these hotels for a dip.”&nbsp;

He told me that Cambodia is not a rich country. I decided to hunt for swimming wear myself. It took me half an hour but I was able to locate the shop. But what Chandra told me is a reality which is unseen behind the glitz of a booming tourist economy. It feeds the poor and helps the economy, but massive profits remain in the hands of few.

China&nbsp;thumps Korea

What is the indicator of rise of a big power? There are many factors. GDP is one but there are many ways one can evaluate the power of a foreign power. In India, if one travels through the Buddhist circuit in Siddharthnagar, Maharajganj in Uttar Pradesh and Gaya in Bihar, one would understand that Japanese hotels and eateries rule the roost.&nbsp;

You would immediately know the nationality of the five-star tourists. It is similar in Cambodia. It was dominated by the Koreans earlier. Siem Reap had a number of Korean food-joints but today they are being overtaken by the Chinese joints.

The Chinese today dominate the landscape of Angkor Wat. It was the Koreans earlier. Many Korean eateries have closed down and new Chinese eateries have opened. My guide told me that the Chinese overtook the Koreans couple of years back. Makes me remember Goa. It has been overrun by Russians. What do you do when the mantra is globalisation.

&nbsp;And Lastly...

Cambodia is a great country. It is a beautiful country but still needs to prepare its hospitality industry for vegetarians. When my wife Nistula Hebbar in a rated hotel requested for vegetarian food, the reply was: “Do not worry, it is only fish.” I had to hunt for a European eatery. She had French onion soup and stir-fried vegetables in Cambodia and I had tenderloin. Mind you, it was not Sirloin.

My first day in Cambodia was an eye-opener since the hospitality industry has deep roots and the country has done well after the war, I assumed that some things are a given about a society.

My first day in Cambodia was an eye-opener since the hospitality industry has deep roots and the country has done well after the war, I assumed that some things are a given about a society. But what meets the eye is not the truth. The glitzy hotels and the tourist-oriented sector can hide a lot of simple facts. I wanted to swim and realized that I have left the trunk back in Delhi. In order to make a quick buy, I asked my guide to take me to any shop for a swimming trunk. The hotel owners too informed me that it would be available in the city. When I asked the guide about the shop he replied,"it would be little difficult. People in Cambodia like to take bath in their homes. They do not go to 5-star hotels for a bath.” I said,"boss, swimming is an exercise.” He retorted,"even the rich do not have swimming pools in their homes and they have to go to these hotels for a dip.” He told me that Cambodia is not a rich country. I decided to hunt for swimming wear myself. It took me half an hour but I was able to locate the shop. But what Chandra told me is a reality which is unseen behind the glitz of a booming tourist economy. It feeds the poor and helps the economy, but massive profits remain in the hands of few. China thumps Korea What is the indicator of rise of a big power? There are many factors. GDP is one but there are many ways one can evaluate the power of a foreign power. In India, if one travels through the Buddhist circuit in Siddharthnagar, Maharajganj in Uttar Pradesh and Gaya in Bihar, one would understand that Japanese hotels and eateries rule the roost. You would immediately know the nationality of the five-star tourists. It is similar in Cambodia. It was dominated by the Koreans earlier. Siem Reap had a number of Korean food-joints but today they are being overtaken by the Chinese joints. The Chinese today dominate the landscape of Angkor Wat. It was the Koreans earlier. Many Korean eateries have closed down and new Chinese eateries have opened. My guide told me that the Chinese overtook the Koreans couple of years back. Makes me remember Goa. It has been overrun by Russians. What do you do when the mantra is globalisation. And Lastly... Cambodia is a great country. It is a beautiful country but still needs to prepare its hospitality industry for vegetarians. When my wife Nistula Hebbar in a rated hotel requested for vegetarian food, the reply was: “Do not worry, it is only fish.” I had to hunt for a European eatery. She had French onion soup and stir-fried vegetables in Cambodia and I had tenderloin. Mind you, it was not Sirloin.

Cambodia diary: An eye-opener & China influence

With time lot of things about a country’s<a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/cambodia-diary-an-eye-opener-china-influence-188314"> past get&nbsp;sidelined to the margin</a> of collective memory. Sometimes it is done purposely and sometimes it happens without intent. Cambodia is a mixture of both.

Unlike India which saw political stability after independence, Cambodia could never enjoy this luxury. It was invaded by neighbours and then mauled from inside by vicious Khmer Rouge regime which massacred its own people and put millions into rural gulags who ultimately ended up in unmarked graves.&nbsp;

Even today, the remnants of turmoil end up on front pages. The memorial inaugurated by the Prime Minister of Vietnam Hun Sen in Phnom Penh is contested by many as treason.

The PM argues that Win-Win Memorial had made the country peaceful in the last 20 years. The contrarians argue that it means that the country has ended up acknowledging Vietnamese neo-colonialism. The locals argue that the memorialisation of Vietnamese troops to overthrow the Khmer Rouge is akin to remembering helplessness of the government. It's&nbsp;internal affair&nbsp;of&nbsp;Cambodia but triggers many memories for me.

India too was mauled by China and Pakistan on the borders, but civil society remained immune from massive disruption and civilians being eaten by its own regime or brutally assaulted by neighbours because of&nbsp;new geopolitical reality.

It is, therefore, a relief to understand that Gandhian mode of national struggle impregnated a sense of civility in public life among Indians. Since non-violence in political life was treated as a virtue only fringe groups resorted to political violence in India. Even left-wing extremism could not break India’s framework as large swathes of land believed in electoral democracy which forced the Left to treat elections as tactical if not the ultimate goal in the long run.

Every time, I go abroad, I look back at disbelief about the debate we have continued in our country on how the nation was betrayed at birth.

Indian leaders did make huge mistakes. The nation paid the cost. Be it under-preparedness when it came to China or economic re-orientation, but the nation never slid into anarchy. The national consensus which the freedom struggle built created a framework which people at large adhered. It subsequently manifested through our Constitution. Be it providence or pure luck, India managed to take a different path from most of the African and Asian nations who underwent colonial rule in the&nbsp;19th and 20th century.

Despite being a great power even today China cannot boast of a robust political environment. Till today, it has not put to rest the ghosts of cultural revolution.

So those who believe that India could have been different if its leaders had been different must travel to south-east Asia and some of the African countries to understand that Gandhi’s principle of nonviolence, egalitarianism and liberal values propagated by Nehru, strong framework of administration provided by Patel and our beautiful Constitution birthed by Ambedkar which&nbsp;stood the test of time.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

With time lot of things about a country’s past get sidelined to the margin of collective memory. Sometimes it is done purposely and sometimes it happens without intent.

With time lot of things about a country’s past get sidelined to the margin of collective memory. Sometimes it is done purposely and sometimes it happens without intent. Cambodia is a mixture of both. Unlike India which saw political stability after independence, Cambodia could never enjoy this luxury. It was invaded by neighbours and then mauled from inside by vicious Khmer Rouge regime which massacred its own people and put millions into rural gulags who ultimately ended up in unmarked graves. Even today, the remnants of turmoil end up on front pages. The memorial inaugurated by the Prime Minister of Vietnam Hun Sen in Phnom Penh is contested by many as treason. The PM argues that Win-Win Memorial had made the country peaceful in the last 20 years. The contrarians argue that it means that the country has ended up acknowledging Vietnamese neo-colonialism. The locals argue that the memorialisation of Vietnamese troops to overthrow the Khmer Rouge is akin to remembering helplessness of the government. It's internal affair of Cambodia but triggers many memories for me. India too was mauled by China and Pakistan on the borders, but civil society remained immune from massive disruption and civilians being eaten by its own regime or brutally assaulted by neighbours because of new geopolitical reality. It is, therefore, a relief to understand that Gandhian mode of national struggle impregnated a sense of civility in public life among Indians. Since non-violence in political life was treated as a virtue only fringe groups resorted to political violence in India. Even left-wing extremism could not break India’s framework as large swathes of land believed in electoral democracy which forced the Left to treat elections as tactical if not the ultimate goal in the long run. Every time, I go abroad, I look back at disbelief about the debate we have continued in our country on how the nation was betrayed at birth. Indian leaders did make huge mistakes. The nation paid the cost. Be it under-preparedness when it came to China or economic re-orientation, but the nation never slid into anarchy. The national consensus which the freedom struggle built created a framework which people at large adhered. It subsequently manifested through our Constitution. Be it providence or pure luck, India managed to take a different path from most of the African and Asian nations who underwent colonial rule in the 19th and 20th century. Despite being a great power even today China cannot boast of a robust political environment. Till today, it has not put to rest the ghosts of cultural revolution. So those who believe that India could have been different if its leaders had been different must travel to south-east Asia and some of the African countries to understand that Gandhi’s principle of nonviolence, egalitarianism and liberal values propagated by Nehru, strong framework of administration provided by Patel and our beautiful Constitution birthed by Ambedkar which stood the test of time. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Cambodia diary: Khmer Rouge, tragedy & rural gulags

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/cambodian-pm-says-wont-allow-any-foreign-military-base-in-his-country-178121">Cambodia's strongman leader Hun Sen </a>lashed out at Western governments for pushing "democracy and human rights" on his country, capping off a tumultuous political year with a fiery speech on Saturday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/cambodias-hun-sen-says-will-give-speech-to-un-after-flawed-election-157311?first_load=no">The 66-year-old prime minister </a>has ruled Cambodia for over three decades, with the Southeast Asian country<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/china-pledges-100-million-in-military-aid-to-cambodia-145562"> tilting towards China</a> in recent years thanks to loans for infrastructure and few complaints on human rights issues.

His administration was renewed for another five years in July following elections critics condemned as a sham, inciting threats from the European Union to revoke duty-free access to EU countries.&nbsp;

But Hun Sen remained defiant Saturday as he inaugurated a monument with carvings showcasing his government's achievements.&nbsp;

"Don't make war by using what is called democracy and human rights, in which democratic countries used to make the mistake of supporting Lon Nol's coup," he said in a speech to thousands of officials.&nbsp;

Lon Nol's US-backed regime was ousted by the ultra-Maoist Khmer Rouge in 1975, jumpstarting four years of horror as Cambodians were forced to live on farming communes, endure hard labour, and were tortured and murdered if they were suspected of plotting against leader Pol Pot.

Hun Sen was a former Khmer Rouge cadre who defected and had a role in toppling the genocidal regime in 1979, although the US later sought to keep the ousted Khmer Rouge at the table in the United Nations.

"You as a democratic country ... supported Pol Pot, who used to kill people with no regards for respecting human rights," Hun Sen said, without naming the US. "You supported them to keep a seat at the UN."

Cambodia's government dissolved the main opposition party and jailed its leader ahead of July elections in which it won every seat in parliament, transforming the nation into a one-party state.

Cambodia's strongman leader Hun Sen lashed out at Western governments for pushing "democracy and human rights" on his country, capping off a tumultuous political year with a fiery speech on Saturday.

Cambodia's strongman leader Hun Sen lashed out at Western governments for pushing "democracy and human rights" on his country, capping off a tumultuous political year with a fiery speech on Saturday. The 66-year-old prime minister has ruled Cambodia for over three decades, with the Southeast Asian country tilting towards China in recent years thanks to loans for infrastructure and few complaints on human rights issues. His administration was renewed for another five years in July following elections critics condemned as a sham, inciting threats from the European Union to revoke duty-free access to EU countries. But Hun Sen remained defiant Saturday as he inaugurated a monument with carvings showcasing his government's achievements. "Don't make war by using what is called democracy and human rights, in which democratic countries used to make the mistake of supporting Lon Nol's coup," he said in a speech to thousands of officials. Lon Nol's US-backed regime was ousted by the ultra-Maoist Khmer Rouge in 1975, jumpstarting four years of horror as Cambodians were forced to live on farming communes, endure hard labour, and were tortured and murdered if they were suspected of plotting against leader Pol Pot. Hun Sen was a former Khmer Rouge cadre who defected and had a role in toppling the genocidal regime in 1979, although the US later sought to keep the ousted Khmer Rouge at the table in the United Nations. "You as a democratic country ... supported Pol Pot, who used to kill people with no regards for respecting human rights," Hun Sen said, without naming the US. "You supported them to keep a seat at the UN." Cambodia's government dissolved the main opposition party and jailed its leader ahead of July elections in which it won every seat in parliament, transforming the nation into a one-party state.

Cambodia strongman Hun Sen derides 'democracy' in fiery speech

The European Union is sending a fact-finding mission to assess whether to impose trade sanctions on Myanmar over human rights abuses and has told Cambodia it will lose its preferential trade status, EU trade chief Cecilia Malmstrom said on Friday.

Malmstrom said the mission to Myanmar was to look into a potential withdrawal of its "Everything but Arms" (EBA) status, which allows the world's poorest countries to sell any goods tariff-free into the EU, except weapons.

"We cannot exclude this outcome. The reason is the blatant violation of human rights in Myanmar," she told a news conference after a meeting of trade ministers in Innsbruck, Austria.

The move confirms news Reuters reported on Wednesday that the European Union was considering sanctioning Myanmar over the Rohingya crisis.

A recent UN report accused Myanmar's military of gang rapes and mass killings with "genocidal intent" in Rakhine state and called for its commander-in-chief and five generals to be prosecuted under international law.

Myanmar has denied most of the allegations in the report, blaming Rohingya "terrorists" for most accounts of atrocities.

On Cambodia, the EU said in July that it risked losing its preferential trade status after elections decried by the West as neither free nor fair returned the country's strongman to power after 30 years in office.

Malmstrom said an EU mission had already been to Cambodia. "I have notified Cambodia today that we will launch the procedure for withdrawal of EBA. Without clear and demonstrable improvements this will lead to suspension of trade preferences," she said.

The European Union is sending a fact-finding mission to assess whether to impose trade sanctions on Myanmar over human rights abuses and has told Cambodia it will lose its preferential trade status, EU trade chief Cecilia Malmstrom said on Friday.

The European Union is sending a fact-finding mission to assess whether to impose trade sanctions on Myanmar over human rights abuses and has told Cambodia it will lose its preferential trade status, EU trade chief Cecilia Malmstrom said on Friday. Malmstrom said the mission to Myanmar was to look into a potential withdrawal of its "Everything but Arms" (EBA) status, which allows the world's poorest countries to sell any goods tariff-free into the EU, except weapons. "We cannot exclude this outcome. The reason is the blatant violation of human rights in Myanmar," she told a news conference after a meeting of trade ministers in Innsbruck, Austria. The move confirms news Reuters reported on Wednesday that the European Union was considering sanctioning Myanmar over the Rohingya crisis. A recent UN report accused Myanmar's military of gang rapes and mass killings with "genocidal intent" in Rakhine state and called for its commander-in-chief and five generals to be prosecuted under international law. Myanmar has denied most of the allegations in the report, blaming Rohingya "terrorists" for most accounts of atrocities. On Cambodia, the EU said in July that it risked losing its preferential trade status after elections decried by the West as neither free nor fair returned the country's strongman to power after 30 years in office. Malmstrom said an EU mission had already been to Cambodia. "I have notified Cambodia today that we will launch the procedure for withdrawal of EBA. Without clear and demonstrable improvements this will lead to suspension of trade preferences," she said.

EU sends fact-finding mission to Myanmar to consider trade sanctions

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