Why did Prince Sihanouk take refuge in China?

1970 In March, Cambodian Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense General Lang Nuo and His Royal Highness Srimada (Sihanouk's cousin) staged a coup during Sihanouk's state visit to Beijing. The parliament dismissed Sihanouk from his position as head of state and decided to abolish the monarchy and establish a Khmer Republic with a * * * system, with Lang Nuo as president. Sihanouk was forced into exile in China. Among the third world countries at that time, China was a trustworthy country. Our foreign policy is independent, our country is a socialist country, and its military strength should not be underestimated. We can exclude the influence of other countries and provide him with political asylum.