China Looks On As Ally Fights Border War

The ongoing border skirmish between Thailand and Cambodia continues, with a December 7 exchange of fire breaking the fragile ceasefire signed in Kuala Lumpur less than five months before. China, a diplomatic heavyweight and major source of weapons for both countries, seems to be taking a wait-and-see approach as the conflict rages on its doorstep.

Cambodia is widely viewed as a client state of Beijing. Phnom Penh is heavily dependent on Chinese investment, receiving $12 billion in Chinese funding between 2013 and 2022.

Cambodia also leans heavily on China for arms sales, and the modernization of Ream Naval Base, which officially opened earlier this year, was carried out with Beijing's assistance—raising concerns in Washington that the People's Liberation Army Navy might enjoy privileged access to the deep-water port and further strengthen its posture in the region.

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