PHNOM PENH – Cambodia has reiterated its commitment to the One China policy amid rising tensions between Japan and China over Taiwan, stressing its dedication to peace and stability through peaceful dispute settlement.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation spokesperson Chum Sonry said Cambodia firmly upholds the principle of the One China policy and recognizes the Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole lawful authority representing all of China.

“Cambodia recognizes that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory,” he said. He added that issues related to Taiwan are considered Chinese internal affairs.

Cambodia therefore supports China’s efforts toward national reunification and opposes any form of Taiwan independence.

The spokesperson said also that Cambodia advocates regional peace, stability and harmony, grounded in mutual respect and peaceful settlement of differences and disputes.

How Taiwan Became a Hot Issue in Japan-China Relations

The latest dispute between China and Japan emerged in October following remarks by Japan’s new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who suggested that an attack on Taiwan could trigger the deployment of Japan’s Self Defence Forces if such a conflict threatened Japan’s security.

Takaichi, a conservative politician often compared to Margaret Thatcher and widely known for her hawkish stance on China, became leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party in October and subsequently assumed the premiership. 

Her comments drew sharp criticism from Beijing, which described them as dangerously provocative and said Japan had crossed a red line regarding Taiwan.

Tensions between the neighbors continued to simmer throughout the month.

Why Is Cambodia Reaffirming Its Position?

The Cambodian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said the reaffirmation was a response to media questions, as Cambodia maintains comprehensive strategic partnerships with both China and Japan. 

The statement emphasized the importance of urging both parties to resolve their disagreements peacefully and maintain regional stability.

It is not unusual for Cambodia to restate its position on the One China policy. Phnom Penh typically reiterates its stance when circumstances require a public demonstration of its close and long-standing relationship with Beijing. 

The same position applies to other regions China claims as internal matters, including Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Tibet. Cambodia considers these issues part of China’s domestic affairs and therefore subjects of the non-interference principle.

In 2019, Cambodia became the first country in Southeast Asia to publicly declare support for China over its harsh measures against protests in Hong Kong. This came at a time when Western countries condemned the crackdown and accused Beijing of suppressing civic freedoms.

Revisiting Cambodia Taiwan Relations

Around the world, only 12 countries still recognize Taiwan as a sovereign state. Meanwhile, more than 120 countries acknowledge Taiwan as part of China under the One China policy.

Relations between Cambodia and Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China, were complex during the Cold War. 

After the 1970 coup that deposed the late King Norodom Sihanouk and brought the Washington backed anti communist regime of General Lon Nol to power, Taiwan under Chiang Kai-shek sought to strengthen ties with Phnom Penh. General Wang Sheng, head of the General Political Warfare Department, was tasked with establishing relations. 

However, the US-China rapprochement in the early 1970s put Taiwan in a more difficult position in developing full diplomatic ties.  Instead of having an embassy, a Military Mission was installed in Phnom Penh to promote cooperation. On the eve of the Lon Nol regime’s collapse in April 1975, Taiwan became the last country to evacuate its mission.

With the rise of the Khmer Rouge and later the socialist regime, there were no attempts to renew ties. 

The first significant post-conflict effort occurred after the 1993 elections, when Cambodia signed a memorandum of understanding with Taiwan that allowed the opening of representative offices in Phnom Penh and Taipei in September 1994. 

This coincided with the formation of the coalition government led by First Prime Minister Prince Norodom Ranariddh of FUNCINPEC and Second Prime Minister Hun Sen of the Cambodian People’s Party.

According to Julio A. Jeldres, former Senior Private Secretary and Official Biographer to the late King Father Norodom Sihanouk, FUNCINPEC officials pushed the initiative because they saw political advantage in courting pro-Taiwan Chinese communities in Cambodia. 

They believed establishing ties with Taiwan would bring long-term benefits. However, the effort was short-lived. The unofficial relations were cut in 1997 when the representative office, known as the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office, was forcibly closed following the political conflict that resulted in a decisive CPP victory.

Despite the political rupture, economic and investment exchanges have continued. Taiwan’s soft power influence has grown through education opportunities and business activities in Cambodia. 

Still, successive governments under the CPP have consistently upheld the One China policy. Former prime minister Hun Sen repeatedly described Taiwan as an inseparable part of China and positioned Cambodia as one of the strongest supporters of China’s reunification goals.

The Current Government’s Position on Taiwan

This is the second time the new Cambodian government has publicly reasserted its position on Taiwan. After Hun Manet took office in August 2023, some analysts predicted possible shifts in Cambodia’s approach, given Taiwan’s rising soft power appeal in education, tourism and vocational training.

However, Hun Manet reaffirmed Cambodia’s firm adherence to the One China policy and pledged not to permit any Taiwanese representative office to operate in the country. The statement drew criticism from Taipei, which urged Phnom Penh to reconsider its position in hopes of expanding engagement.

Hun Manet and senior officials have since repeated this stance in meetings with Chinese leaders, promising continued support for China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

This continuity indicates that Cambodia’s foreign policy will remain closely aligned with Beijing. As long as China continues to provide political backing and significant economic benefits to Cambodia’s ruling party, major changes in Cambodia’s position on Taiwan are unlikely.