U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin visited Cambodia, a close ally of China, as part of a one-day working visit.
Austin was warmly received by Cambodian Hun Manet and other senior officials. Both Austin and Hun Manet graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point – with the U.S. defense chief graduating in 1975 and the Cambodian leader in 1995.
Opportunities to deepen the bilateral defense relationship between the United States and Cambodia were discussed, according to Austin.
The U.S. defense chief also met Hun Manet’s father, Hun Sen, the former Prime Minister of Cambodia who served the country for nearly 40 years. Austin’s visit to Phnom Penh on Tuesday happened days after Cambodia and China ended their largest annual military exercises.
Hun Sen established close ties with China during his nearly forty-year rule, with his son Hun Manet following in his footsteps.
The former prime minister even described China as Cambodia’s “most trustworthy friend.”
