The Chinese Influence

One has to ask if there is any actual or potential anti-western feeling, then examine, if the first answer is 'yes', why it exists.

Given Cambodia was secretly bombed for years and saw likely tens of thousands murdered by a foreign power, that may be a possibility, however, that may also be lost from local memory.

A bit of research is required.

Almost forgot.

Totally ignore politicians - They tend to have political reasons (commonly cash) for saying things that would normally emanate from bulls' rear ends.

I read a few pieces but there was nothing from the last couple of years. Older stuff suggests there is no anti-American feeling from locals, but that's out of date and only a rough overview with little by way of searching to back it up.

@Fred Actually I am referring to the Chinese(government) influence concerning their possible agenda of taking over several areas of Cambodia as they seemingly accomplished in Sihanoukville. I have mostly read good things about the Cambodian people. It's the Chinese communist government I wonder about sometimes.

@Fred Actually I am referring to the Chinese(government) influence concerning their possible agenda of taking over several areas of Cambodia as they seemingly accomplished in Sihanoukville.
-@arthow1847

You're listening to propaganda.

It might very well be true the Chinese are essentially taking over cities, for gambling in this case, but where do massive profits from big business enter into communism?

The 'communism' in China is in name only. I assume it is a control mechanism for the masses, but it's used by some in the west to make them sound as if they are actually communist.

A little bit of critical thinking is in order.

By the way, the above doesn't indicate support for the Chinese government, just a note of how they are communist in name only, and perhaps to mention how other governments try to paint a false picture.

In fact, 'communist' China is the greatest threat to the US economy as, over the past few decades, they changed from a disastrous communist model to an extremely successful capitalist one the western world is both envious and scared of.

They work by bombing areas with cash, and I can see how that is a possible issue, but it's way better than bombing with millions of tonnes of explosives.

Skip the propaganda and make your choices based on reality.

Well thats all very interesting I am sure. However, in terms of the original question: there is very little Chinese influence or presence in Siem Reap, hardly even a decent Chinese restaurant. I know Sihanoukville has been taken over by Chinese owned casinos and other businesses, but that is a long way from here. Of course there are occasional Chinese tour groups visiting the Angkor temples, just as there are American and European tourists and I understand the Chinese government has contributed to the cost of infrastructure upgrades around the country, no doubt for political reasons. But that does not intrude into daily life here, and Siem Reap is still a small provincial city with low crime, light road traffic and plenty of entertainment options -a great place to retire.

@arthow1847

The biggest difference between US and Chinese expanding of influence into a country is that China invests in infrastructure, construction, hydropower dams and more, without interfering in the politics of that country. Neither will they build military bases like the US does. The US rules their "friends", China helps their friends.

That China's way is the more successful way is clearly visible and will lead to a shift into a multipolar world order.

No need to fear Chinese influx, they usually stick to themselves and the casinos and businesses cater to Chinese gamblers.

Relax, this is Cambodia!

Joe

@Fred The Chinese government fully admits they are communist and this is not some out-of-date assumption. As long as Siem Reap continues to be a nice environment for ex-pats living I have no qualms.

@hdgh29 Thanks, and I certainly hope it stays this way for years to come.

@Fred It is what it is.

@arthow1847
The biggest difference between US and Chinese expanding of influence into a country is that China invests in infrastructure, construction, hydropower dams and more, without interfering in the politics of that country. Neither will they build military bases like the US does. The US rules their "friends", China helps their friends.

Joe
-@JoeKhmer

I would disagree with the the politics point.

Bribery is still interface, and I have every confidence that goes on.

@Fred The Chinese government fully admits they are communist and this is not some out-of-date assumption. As long as Siem Reap continues to be a nice environment for ex-pats living I have no qualms.
-@arthow1847

They claim it, not admitted it.

You are making the classic mistake of believing politicians. Any politicians, including chinese ones.

Regardless,  it's a one-party totalitarian system or are you aware of something the rest of us are not?

Regardless, it's a one-party totalitarian system or are you aware of something the rest of us are not?
-@arthow1847

That is true. It is a one party dictatorship, just a capitalist one. It was an attempt at communism ("attempt" because that idiocy always fails), but the little red book man snuffed it and that was that for that particular mass murdering idiocy.

However, as dictatorships tend to like to hang on to power and changing political system tends to encourage opposition, they just carried on saying they were commies.

It's now in some countries' interest to forward the idea the commies are still alive and well as it saves admitting aggression against the communists is really a battle to avoid being the second best capitalists, but that's politics - something for morons to believe the lies about.

Anyway, to the topic in hand, there is no communist influence but there is a massive capitalist build. How that changes the thoughts and ideas of the common man is unknown to me. However, my point about making life choices based on the spoutings of cash grabbing politicians is a really bad idea.

You have to get those thought out of your head or you'll cock up in a massive way.

I really don't care to get into any further political discussion especially since you seem to have a mindset that is beyond debatable. Let us just leave it as it is, thank you.

I really don't care to get into a political discussion especially since you seem to have a mindset that is beyond debatable. Let us just leave it as it is, thank you.
-@arthow1847

Please feel free to believe as you wish, or what others tell you to believe, but deciding on a life changing move using lousey information based on political ideals rather than reality is a very bad idea.

@Fred

You confuse international politics with local politics

There is no Chinese political influence in Cambodia and the bribery mentioned by you is an internal issue of Cambodian politicians and officials.

Joe

@Fred Thanks but I don't require any patronizing.

@Fred
You confuse international politics with local politics
There is no Chinese political influence in Cambodia and the bribery mentioned by you is an internal issue of Cambodian politicians and officials.

Joe
-@JoeKhmer

The Chinese are very much swarming over Asia with Belt and Road, and that's sure to mean politicians are taking bribes. It's far more likely to be a business thing than a political thing. However, you can bet the Chinese government is watching every detail, just as the US government will be doing.

Quite how that translates to anti-anyone feeling amongst the general population is hard to work out as the vast majority of local propably have no idea, and likely no interest either.

At the end of the day, unless a country messes up a population, it's there's a fair bet they won't care.

@Fred Thanks but I don't require any patronizing.
-@arthow1847

Perhaps not, but you do need a little educating.

Basing a life changing move on silly political opinions is a bad move. You have to forget what politicians spout as it generally has almost nothing to do with reality.

Bogus, has everything to do with all options, and seems you only read what you want to. There is always someone like you out there that wants to take the conversations in a different direction. My decisions aren't based only on "silly political options" as you keep insisting. I am done with you and time to move on.

@Fred
You confuse international politics with local politics
There is no Chinese political influence in Cambodia and the bribery mentioned by you is an internal issue of Cambodian politicians and officials.

Joe
-@JoeKhmer

That about sorts out the OP's question. ... unless there are any ill feeling remaining from mass bombing campaigns and/or more recent government to government disagreements.

Has that part of history faded into nothingness it has in the rest of the world, or are there still bad memories and underlying mistrust? 1970 is a long time ago, but not so long as to have no first hand witnesses that may still hold grudges.

Also, the reasonably new sanctions and public demands for democracy from some countries might be a problem for some expats - Has the government put out any opinions on the matter to the public or is it a non-issue for the man in the street?

Things like the Ream Naval Base row are likely a source of high level problems that could work their way down if the Cambodian government fancies a little propaganda game in order to get something they want.

Your 'on the ground' opinion would be valuable .. and very interesting

@Fred Does the man in the street know about his government and complain about it?

Hint. It's a non chosen government and decisions are being made without any feedback from the citizens

@arthow1847

My own experience : living quite 5 years in US, then, doing some french wine Business in China in last 10 years, I CAN sure you that your said COMMUNISM is now a myth !

I see China now is somehow more Capitalist than US's capitalism. LOL paradox.

So, when I hear some people stil stigmating on this, it seems to me they are OUT !

China now is moving to the Humanitarism, Check this word with ChatGPT, you might get the best answer.

Friendly Yours.

@Fred Does the man in the street know about his government and complain about it?
Hint. It's a non chosen government and decisions are being made without any feedback from the citizens
-@Crazy_Sexpat

Whatever the local propaganda tells him?

The same goes for most countries, but the democracies do it in different ways.

A lovely example is one noted politician spouting on about how Chinese owned debt to Sri Lanka is causing the issues over there, then you find the politician's country owns more of the debt than China does.

The upshot is simple - Most people are far too stupid to understand how propaganda works. It's really no different to Nigerian prince scams ... except the propaganda stories tend to be more convincing to people who don't look.

@arthow1847
My own experience : living quite 5 years in US, then, doing some french wine Business in China in last 10 years, I CAN sure you that your said COMMUNISM is now a myth !
I see China now is somehow more Capitalist than US's capitalism. LOL paradox.
So, when I hear some people stil stigmating on this, it seems to me they are OUT !
China now is moving to the Humanitarism, Check this word with ChatGPT, you might get the best answer.
Friendly Yours.
-@KhmerFuture

I seriously crapped my pants. I don't believe the Chinese goverment ever gives humanitarism a thought.

@KhmerFuture President Xi is the head of the Chinese "communist" party. There are no free elections and only a one-party system with no opposition, these are the facts pure and simple. Just because you may have made some financial dealings there doesn't mean an actual shift of the authoritarian system under the guise of the communist party and any "capitalist" business is supervised or first approved by the direction of the government only. The horrendous days of Mao are gone but sometimes the more things change the more they are the same, Russia under Putin is a prime example.

  My intentions are not actually to get into political debates from my original posting of the Chinese agenda in Cambodia. However, this was only an inquiry, and just a bit concerned about how they have made a move on Silkounville and hopefully not Siem Reap in the near future. That question has been pretty much reassuring by other postings here, thank you

  The USA could be headed in an even more divided direction and just another reason I am considering relocation in my retirement days.

@arthow1847

LOL

@arthow1847
LOL
-@KhmerFuture

I love the truth - There is a version for everyone.

Imagine the boy crying wolf every day for years, but the the townsfolk were as dumb as bricks so went running every day.

Once you realise it's pretty much all about cash, you look at what politicians say, but rarely believe them.

At the end of the day, making big dississions on duff information pumped out by people making cash on their truth is a bad idea.

@Fred Whatever

@Fred
Hint. It's a non chosen government and decisions are being made without any feedback from the citizens
-@Crazy_Sexpat

So, same as most everywhere else then?