Is it not worth the loss to take refuge in the United States? Why doesn't Cambodia, a small country in Southeast Asia, follow suit and become a vassal of the United States?

Cambodia is just a small country in Southeast Asia. If only diplomatic relations were established, the United States would not even look at Cambodia. However, in order to unite ASEAN countries to contain China, the United States had to lower its posture and win over Cambodia. However, unlike other ASEAN countries, Cambodia has no interest in the United States. Bow down? Meaning, but the relationship with China is getting better and better. What makes Cambodia unwilling to become a vassal of the United States?

1. The United States has little influence on Cambodia's economy. Although Cambodia has been unknown in the international community in recent years, it is also developing steadily, especially its economic development has reached a new level again and again. Cambodia's economic achievements cannot be separated from China's help. China is the largest investor in Cambodia and the main source of international tourists in Cambodia. Every year, a large number of tourists from China enter the country, which promotes the development of local food, housing, transportation, shopping, entertainment and many other industries. In contrast, the influence of the United States on Cambodia's economy is much smaller. Cambodia is different from Vietnam, Philippines and other countries. The United States did not participate in Cambodia's initial development, so Cambodia has no economic dependence on the United States.

Data Map | Urban Landscape of Phnom Penh, Cambodia

2. The United States can't find the opportunity to win over Cambodia. There are two main tools for the United States to incite neighboring countries in China: one is to use territorial disputes, and the other is to engage in ideology. Are these two tools for Cambodia? Have strength but no place to make it? Cambodia and China have no territorial disputes and do not engage in a multi-party system. When Cambodia dissolved the opposition party, it was also taken by the United States. Destroy democracy? Cambodians are not allowed to enter the United States on the grounds of an entry ban on Cambodia, but the Cambodian government has made a direct statement? What's the big deal? It is enough to look at Cambodia's attitude towards the United States.

Data Map | 10 ASEAN leaders hold informal meeting

In short, the United States wants to win over Cambodia to curb China's development, but Cambodia is more inclined to have good relations with China, which leads to the United States winning over Cambodia's weakness. It is precisely because of the above two reasons that Cambodia is unwilling to go further and further. At present, all the energy of the Cambodian government is focused on economic development, not political struggle, so it is unwilling to become an accessory of the United States, because it is really not worth the candle.