Phnom Penh (FN), Mar. 5 – Global affairs are becoming more complex in the new era of great powers’ competition. China’s rapid economic growth has allowed the country to expand its power and influence across multiple areas where the US was once the sole dominant actor. In this regard, the relations between China and the US have grown more strained, with their bilateral relations now regarded as one of the most important geopolitical rivalries of the 21st century across various domains. In the realm of trade, the two countries engage in a trade war for several years. In the realm of technology, the two countries are competing to be the leading global power in artificial intelligence, robotics, and quantum computing. The US has tried to restrain China’s technological rise by imposing unprecedented sanctions to limit China’s access to advanced computing chips. In response, China has accelerated its efforts and initiatives to develop its technology industry and lessen its reliance on foreign imports. In the security sector, the US and China are competing for influence in key regions including Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia.

Among the three regions, the rivalry in Southeast Asia is identified as the most intense and comprehensive, given its strategic geographical location and its prominent regional role. Cambodia, in this context, also finds itself caught in the middle of the US-China rivalry. This article will examine how Cambodia can carefully navigate and overcome these strategic challenges to advance its interests.

Read AVI Commentary: “US-China Rivalry: Cambodia’s Way Forward amid the Great Power Competition”
=FRESH NEWS