PAÑÑĀSĀSTRA UNIVERSITY OF CAMBODIA

Sila Samādhi Paññā

Cambodia - Philippines Relations

Group 7
1. CHEA RATHA ID: 105439 2. SEAB CHEAT ID: 0689246
3. SRIN VIRAK ID: 125739

PAÑÑĀSĀSTRA UNIVERSITY OF CAMBODIA

Author Note

The authors of this paper are students of Paññāsāstra University of Cambodia

This paper was written to fulfill the requirement of the course of Introduction to
ASEAN Governments, Politics and Economics

Lecturer: SUN KIM

TERM: November 07, 2019 – March 23, 2020

 Table of Contents
Research Questions ............................................................................................................. 1
Research Object .................................................................................................................. 1
1. Historical Overviews of Cambodia – Philippine Relations ............................................ 1
2. Cambodia – Philippines Political Relations.................................................................... 1
. 2.1 Diplomatic Relations ................................................................................................ 1
2.2 Major Agreements .................................................................................................... 2
2.3 Sour Mood in The 2012 ASEAN Summit ............................................................... 3
2.4 Defense and Security................................................................................................ 4
3. China’s South China Sea claims ..................................................................................... 5
3.1 ASEAN Member States’ Maritime Claims – The Philippines................................. 6
3.2 The ASEAN Declaration.......................................................................................... 7
3.3 Mischief Reef ........................................................................................................... 8
3.4 Collective Action among Competing States ............................................................ 10
4. Cambodia – Philippines Economics Relations ............................................................... 12
4.1 Airline Service Agreement ....................................................................................... 12
4.2 Rice Trade ................................................................................................................ 11
4.3 Investments .............................................................................................................. 13
4.4 Agricultural and Agribusiness Cooperation ............................................................. 15
5. Cambodia – Philippines Social Relations ....................................................................... 16
5.1 Educational Exchange .............................................................................................. 16
5.2 People-to-People Exchange ..................................................................................... 17
5.3 Tourism Cooperation ............................................................................................... 17
5.4 Cultural Cooperation ................................................................................................ 18
6. Conclusion ...................................................................................................................... 19
7. References ....................................................................................................................... 20
CAMBODIA - PHILIPPINES RELATIONS

RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1. What is the Cambodia – Philippines Relations?
2. What is Cambodia - Philippines Political Relations?
3. What is Cambodia – Philippines Economics Relations?
4. What is Cambodia – Philippines Social Relations?

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

This research aims to explore the context of Cambodia – Philippines Relations in term of
political involvements, economics investments, trades and social affairs of the two territories.
Also, to the discuss the role of Cambodia – Philippines diplomatic relations in finding
resolutions for the greater bilateral between one another. Another look is to study about the
role of ASEAN in finding the solutions to help solve the problems in the regional as these two
nations are the member of ASEAN community.

1. HISTORICAL OVERVIEWS OF CAMBODIA – PHILIPPINE RELATIONS

2. CAMBODIA - PHILIPPINES POLITICAL RELATIONS
2.1 DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS
On 20th August 1957, official diplomatic relations were established between the Philippines
and Cambodia. Between 1958 and 1965, the Philippine Embassy in Saigon, Vietnam and, at
some point, the Philippine Embassy in Bangkok oversaw and managed the interests in
Cambodia.
The first resident diplomatic mission in Cambodia was established in 1965 as the first
Philippine ambassador with the late Senator and renowned actor Rogelio de la Rosa from 1965
to 1971, during which he developed close official and personal ties with the late King Father
Norodom Sihanouk.
The Philippine Government closed the Embassy in Phnom Penh on 18 March 1975, when the
Khmer Rouge's overthrow of the Lon Nol government was clearly inevitable.
After a 26-year pause in diplomatic relations in December 1994, the Philippines restored its
resident mission in Phnom Penh and formally reopened the Philippine Embassy in January
1995 with retired Lieutenant-General Thelmo Cunanan as ambassador.
The current Philippine Ambassador, H.E. Christopher B. Montero, assumed his post on 26
March 2015.
The Embassy oversees the overall development in the Kingdom of Cambodia of Philippine
interests and is aided by a resident Defense and Armed Forces Attaché. The Philippine Trade
and Investment Center (PTIC) and the Bangkok-based Special Agricultural Representative
assist the Embassy in trade / commercial promotion and the associated activities.

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CAMBODIA - PHILIPPINES RELATIONS

2.2 MAJOR AGREEMENTS

The following are among the major agreements between the Philippines and Cambodia:

• Agricultural and Agribusiness Cooperation (September 2015)

• Cultural Agreement (June 2015)
• Rice Trade (April 2013)
• Air Services (April 2012)
• Recognition of Training and Certification for Seafarers (October 2002)
• Health Workers' Development Cooperation (August 2000)
• Promotion and Protection of Investments (August 2000)
• Establishment of a Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (August 2000)
• Visa Exemption for Diplomatic/Official Passport Holders (August 2000)
• Tourism Cooperation (August 2000)
• Rural Health Development Cooperation (December 1995)
• Enhancement of Economic Trade Relations (December 1995)
Cooperation agreements in the areas of labor, sports, combatting transnational crimes, and
tourism were signed during the State Visit to Cambodia of President Rodrigo R. Duterte on 13-
14 December 2016. 1
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and visiting Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte
witnessed the signing ceremony of the agreements after their bilateral meeting at the Peace
Palace in Phnom Penh.
The deals included a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on cooperation in combating
transnational crime, a five-year tourism cooperation agreement, and MOUs on labor protection,
as well as on sports cooperation. 2
The relationship between the Philippines and Cambodia has not only deepened in recent years
but has gradually developed into a people-centered relationship. To illustrate this, in 2016 the
Philippine Embassy organized a Philippine Education Fair offering Cambodian students an
alternative higher education destination abroad. Hundreds of Cambodians who graduated from
Philippine universities and were eager to share their testimonials about living and studying in
the Philippines have supported us in this undertaking. The two countries have held round table
meetings on cooperation on migration, during which they shared best practices on labor
migration. In addition, cultural and tourism agreements serve as avenues for the Filipinos and
Khmers to learn about each other and from each other.

1 DFA Website Admin Support, “GOVPH,” Philippines-Cambodia Relations, April 26, 2019, Accessed
February 8, 2020. https://phnompenhpe.dfa.gov.ph/phl-cambodia-relations)
2 Hermes, “Cambodia, Philippines Boost Relations with Four Pacts,” The Straits Times, December 14, 2016.
Accessed February 8, 2020. https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/cambodia-philippines-boost-relations-
with-four-pacts)

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CAMBODIA - PHILIPPINES RELATIONS

More recently, the signing of four cooperation pacts in the fields of education, sports, fighting
transnational crimes and tourism during President Rodrigo R. Duterte's State Visit to Cambodia
in December 2016 has further strengthened bilateral ties.
Relationships between people are going strong, too. A direct flight operated by Philippine
airline Cebu Pacific Air links the world-famous heritage province of Siem Reap and the
booming commercial and political capital of the Philippines, Manila. In 2016, Cambodia
received 108,032 Filipino tourists and is home to over 6,000 Filipino expatriates gainfully
employed in the engineering, accounting, banking, business consultancy, education, arts and
entertainment sectors. Mr. Duterte also announced an offer of 60 scholarships to Cambodian
students and officials for studies in the Philippines. 3

2.3 “SOUR MOOD” IN THE 2012 ASEAN SUMMIT

In July 2012, Cambodia hosted the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit
during a time when tensions in the West Philippine Sea were beginning to escalate.
It was a tradition in the summit's Asian Ministers ' Meeting (AMM) to come up with a
communiqué or an official statement on major issues, but this was not accomplished under the
hosting of the event by Cambodia – the first time this happened in 45 years.
Then, Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario wanted to include a reference to Scarborough Shoal
in the joint statement, which is the subject of competing claims by the Philippines and China.
But Cambodia had opposed it, saying that it could not accept that "the joint statement has
become the hostage of the bilateral issue (between the Philippines and China).
As China's closest ally in ASEAN, some put the blame on Cambodia for the bloc's failure to
issue a joint statement. But this was slammed by then-Cambodian ambassador to the
Philippines Hos Sereythonh, who said that the “souring of the mood” during the AMM should
be attributed to the “inflexible and non-negotiable position” of the Philippines and Vietnam,
which also has claims to disputed waters. Despite this word barb, the Philippine ambassador
then clarified that the relationship between the two countries remained “excellent.” 4
Philippine relations with Cambodia have also developed at the people-to-people level, with
Filipino teachers and professionals discovering Cambodia to be a place where they can build
well-remunerated expatriate career. [5]
The cultural affinity between the Filipino and Cambodian people has echoes in the parallels
between their leaders Hun Sen and Rodrigo Duterte. Bother leaders hare political strongmen

3 “60th Anniversary of Philippine-Cambodia Diplomatic Relations: A Vibrant People-Centered Relationship,”

Khmer Times, August 27, 2017. Accessed February 9, 2020, https://www.khmertimeskh.com/80187/60th-
anniversary-philippine-cambodia-diplomatic-relations-vibrant-people-centered-relationship/)
4 Rappler.com, “FAST FACTS: PH-Cambodia Relations through the Years,” Rappler, December 13, 2016.
Accessed February 9, 2020. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/155335-fast-facts-philippines-cambodia-
relations
5 Esteves, “Pinoys in Cambodia make good as managers,” Philippine Star, December 23, 2007. Accessed
February 9, 2020. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/34893/pinoys-cambodia-make-good-as-managers

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CAMBODIA - PHILIPPINES RELATIONS

who have effectively deployed plain-spoken styles of communication to connect with the
masses and to established their popularist images as representatives of the common man. Both
are also experienced in confronting the West. During Duterte’s state visit to Cambodia in
December 2016, “the first stand-alone, bilateral visit of Philippine leader to Cambodia in 20
years,” Hun Sen’s “deep admiration” for the Philippine leader was revealed, as was his
recognition of Duterte as “an ally in term of standing up against Western countries.” While
Hun Sen had stood up to the Western condemnation of the deadly war on drugs that was
launched shortly after his 2016 election. As a consequence of their antipathy towards the
Western powers, both Hun Sen and Duterte have realigned their countries with Beijing. Indeed,
apart from establishing greater cooperation between both countries in the fields of education,
tourism, trade, labor, sports, and the fight against transnational crimes, Duterte’s state visit has
been interpreted by some experts as a signal to the international community of the Philippines’
alignment with Cambodia in the pro-Beijing group of states with ASEAN.6

2.4 DEFENSE AND SECURITY

The Inaugural Philippines-Cambodia Joint Committee for Defense Cooperation (JDCC) met
last 11-14 March 2019 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, pursuant to a 2017 Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) on Defense Cooperation. This was co-chaired by Undersecretary
Ricardo A. David, Jr. of the National Defense Department and General Neang Phat, Secretary
of State of the Kingdom of Cambodia's Ministry of National Defense.

The inaugural meeting on the Philippine-Cambodia defense partnership enabled, among others,
the exchange of views on global defense and security concerns such as cyber security, counter-
terrorism and violent extremism, and peacekeeping operations. Also addressed were bilateral
security relations between the Philippines and Cambodia, and various cooperation activities
between the army, navy, and air force of both countries.7

According to the Statement of H.E. Mr. PRAK Sokhonn, Sr Minister, Minister of Foreign
Affairs and International Cooperation on Political, Economic and Cultural and Social
Cooperation:

On Defense and Security, Cambodia and the Philippines have enjoyed good
cooperation, especially in terms of human resources development. Cambodia
has dispatched several officers to attend courses offered by the Armed Forces
of the Philippines Command and the General Staff College, namely the
“Infantry Officer Advanced Course”, and the “Public Affairs Course”. Vice
versa, the Philippines has sent its officers to participate in a training course on

6 Miller, “Hun Sen and Duterte: strongmen plan crackdown on regional crime,” Southeast Asia Globe,
December 13, 2016. Accessed February 9, 2020. https://sea-globe.come/duterte-cambodia
7
ARSENIO R. ANDOLONG, “Philippines, Cambodia Hold
Defense Cooperation Conference”, Public Affairs Service, 26 March 2019. Accessed March 30, 2020.
http://dnd.gov.ph/PDF2019/DNDPASPhotoRelease26March2019]PhilipppinesCambodiaHoldDefenseCooperati
onConference.pdf

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CAMBODIA - PHILIPPINES RELATIONS

mine field management at the Cambodian Training Center for Multinational

Peacekeeping Forces.

At the policy level, I would like to recall the fruitful discussions last December
between General Pol Saroeun, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian
Armed Forces (RCAF), and General Educardo Año, Chief of Staff of the Armed
Forces of the Philippines. Moreover, last October, we had the visit to the
Philippines of Major General Hun Manith, Director of the Cambodian
Intelligence and Research Department (CIRD) of RCAF. As a result, good
progress was made to advance more cooperation and exchanges between the
armed forces our two countries. I believe we are now in a good position to sign
the MoU on Defense Cooperation.8

3. CHINA’S SOUTH CHINA SEA CLAIMS

Actions by Cambodia in various ASEAN forums show that Hun Sen's government serves as a
proxy for China in ASEAN over territorial disputes over the South China Sea. This is
demonstrated by the member states ' inability to issue a Joint Communiqué at the end of the
45th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM) in Phnom Penh.

Hun Sen's administration emulates the Chinese position that the contending oceanic cases
ought to be tended to respectively and not inside a multilateral system, and that they ought not
be internationalized to incorporate non claimant states or worldwide associations. In May 2015,
a Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Seung Rathchavy, reverberated the
Chinese line, including a supporting turn that a multilateral discussion was wrong since
ASEAN isn't a court: “The territorial claims have to be resolved by the involved parties.
ASEAN cannot resolve this problem because we are not a court which can judge who is right
or wrong, or which piece of land or water belongs to which country.” 9

This statement is somewhat ironic, given the fact that the Cambodian government has never
supported Philippine efforts to have their maritime dispute with China adjudicated by the
Permanent Court of Arbitration. Hun Sen, himself, made the Cambodian stance for China’s
position clear in a 2016 meeting with US Secretary of State John Kerry. He summarized their
talk: “for the South China Sea issue, we should not take gasoline to douse on fire, but try to
encourage the countries concerned in the dispute to continue negotiations with each other
because ASEAN has no rights to measure land for any sides.” Firmly supporting China’s

8
Samreth, Socheat. “Statement of H.E. Mr. PRAK Sokhonn, Sr Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and
International Cooperation on Political, Economic and Cultural and Social Cooperation.” អង្គភាពព័ត៌មាន និង្ប្រតិកម្មរហ័ស,
December 8, 2017. Accessed March 30, 2020. https://pressocm.gov.kh/en/archives/19054.
9 Cheang Sokha, “Kingdom Reaffirms South China Sea Stance,” The Phnom Penh
Post, May 8, 2015, accessed March 25, 2020, http://www.phnompenhpost.
com/national/kingdom-reaffirms-south-china-sea-stance

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preference for bilateral negotiations, he added: “Vietnam and China should negotiate with each
other; China and the Philippines should negotiate with each other.” 10

The Cambodian government's response to the choice working on this issue the Philippines
brought against China under the watchful eye of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The
Hague is, maybe, the most grounded pointer that Cambodia goes about as an intermediary for
China inside ASEAN on the South China Sea contest. The Cambodian government's situation
working on this issue, just as their response to the court's decision, will be examined in the
finishing up part, following a near contextual investigation of Sino-Philippine relations and a
contextual analysis of weakening Sino-Burmese relations, which remain as a conspicuous
difference to those between Hun Sen's administration and the legislature of the PRC.11

3.1 ASEAN MEMBER STATES’ MARITIME CLAIMS – THE PHILIPPINES

Toward one side of the range estimating the closeness of relations between China and ASEAN
part states, Cambodia has sat, frequently, closest to China; at the opposite end, frequently, has
sat the Philippines. By about any measure, from exchange and speculation to state visits, the
respective relations between the two states have been especially poor, except for the principal
half of the organization of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and, thus far, the early Duterte
organization. Additionally, incompletely because of what it saw as a developing danger from
China, under Benigno Aquino the Philippines revived its once in the past close military
connections to the United States, although Duterte, gives off an impression of being far less
excited about relations with his nation's previous colonizer.
The Philippines' question with China over islands and installations in the Spratlys goes back to
the Republic of China (ROC) control of Itu Aba, the biggest island in the gathering (and still
constrained by the administration of Taiwan), which had been utilized by the Japanese as a
submarine base during WWII. In April 1949, the ROC government informed the Philippines
of its occupation as a way to hinder the progression of military weaponry to the PRC's PLA
powers on Hainan Island. Given close relations between the US, the KMT (Chinese Nationalist
Party) on Taiwan, and the Philippines, joined by anticommunism, ROC infringement was not
seen as a risk by the administration of the Philippines. That quiet was upset in 1971 when ROC
troops on Itu Aba apparently terminated on a gathering of Philippine congressmen passing by
in a pontoon. The Philippine government at that point advised the ROC government that it had
guarantee more than fifty-three Spratly islands, investigated by Filipino Tomas Cloma in 1956,
and followed this with the maritime control of two islands and announcement of the supposed

10 . “Cambodian PM Reiterates Country’s Stance over South China Sea ahead

of US-ASEAN Summit,” Xinhua News Agency, February 5, 2016, accessed
September 21, 2016, http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/967614.shtml.
11 O’Neill, Daniel C. "Sino-Cambodian Ties That Bind." In Dividing ASEAN and Conquering the South China
Sea: China’s Financial Power Projection, 112-45. Hong Kong: Hong Kong University Press, 2018. Accessed
March 25, 2020. www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctv80cbrn.12.

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Kalayaan bunch as a component of Palawan Province. During the 1970s the administration
involved nine additional islands and reefs. 12
In the previous two decades, Philippine debates with the PRC have been the most warmed
among the Spratly petitioners, starting with China's underlying control of Mischief Reef, only
130 miles from Palawan and around 600 nautical miles from China's Hainan island, in 1995,
and the development of a five-story working there in 1999.13 More as of late, Scarborough
Shoal/Huangyan Island has been the site of gigantic pressure between the Philippines and
China, following the capture of Chinese angler by the Philippines for the poaching of
jeopardized species and coral in 2012. Chinese and Philippine boats finished a strained month-
long standoff after the US as far as anyone knows handled confirmations that both would pull
back; the Chinese have denied such an understanding and their boats returned, following an
exceptionally short withdrawal.14 China has, consequently, declared control of the reef and
close by angling waters, leaving the Philippine government to carefully fight proceeded with
badgering of Filipino anglers in the territory and to submit proof on the side of its case under
the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea under the watchful eye of the Permanent
Court of Arbitration documented in January 2013.15 The Philippines as of now involves nine
highlights in the South China Sea with one, Thitu Island, the second biggest of the Spratlys,
incorporating a landing strip with an unpaved runway.16

3.2 THE ASEAN DECLARATION

Maybe reacting to the developing emphaticness of China's regional cases in the South China
Sea, and surely to the developing potential for struggle (strife that had really emitted among
China and Vietnam in 1988), the ASEAN outside priests embraced in July 1992 the ASEAN
Declaration on the South China Sea. Pushed by the Philippines, which was leading that year's
ASEAN Ministerial Meeting, the Declaration required the tranquil goals of "all sway and
jurisdictional issues relating toward the South China Sea", the activity of "restriction", and the
use of

12 Henry Rhoel R. Aguda and Jesusa Loreto A. Arellano-Aguda, “The Philippine

Claim over the Spratly Group of Islands: An Application of Article 76 of the
UNCLOS,” Philippine Law Journal, accessed March 25, 2020, http://plj.upd.edu.
ph/the-philippine-claim-over-the-spratly-group-of-islands-an-applications-ofarticle-76-of-the-unclos/#_ftn61
13 Christopher C. Joyner, “The Spratly Islands Dispute in the South China Sea:
Problems, Policies, and Prospects for Diplomatic Accommodation” (Washington:
Stimson Center, 1999).
14 Peter Lee, “America’s Scarborough Shoal Dolchstoss,” Asia Times Online, March 25, 2020, accessed March
25, 2020, http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/ CHIN-01-150714.html.
15 “Philippines Urges China to Show Respect in South China Sea,” The Straits
Times, February 5, 2015, accessed March 25, 2020, http://www.straitstimes.
com/news/asia/south-east-asia/story/philippines-urges-china-show-respectsouth-china-sea-20150205;
16O’Neill, Daniel C. "ASEAN Member States’ Maritime Claims." In Dividing ASEAN and Conquering the
South China Sea: China’s Financial Power Projection, 45-67. Hong Kong: Hong Kong University Press, 2018.
Accessed March 25, 2020. www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctv80cbrn.9.

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CAMBODIA - PHILIPPINES RELATIONS

the principles contained in the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast

Asia as the basis for establishing a code of international conduct over the South
China Sea.
The Declaration committed the ministers to exploring
the possibility of cooperation in the South China Sea relating to the safety of
maritime navigation and communication, protection against pollution of the
marine environment, coordination of search and rescue operations, efforts
towards combating piracy and armed robbery as well as collaboration in the
campaign against illicit trafficking in drugs.
It communicated their acknowledgment of the "touchy inquiries of sway and locale" engaged
with South China Sea issues and the way that "any antagonistic improvements in the South
China Sea straightforwardly influence harmony and security in the region”. 17
The ASEAN clergymen looked to get Qian Qichen to sign on to the statement. The Chinese
remote priest, together with his Russian partner, was in Manila as visitor of the ASEAN seat.
In any case, after some rushed calls to Beijing, Qian challenged on the expressed ground that
China had not been engaged with the revelation's drafting. By the by, China, he stated, bought
in to the assertion's "standards".
Together with the beginning in 1990 of the casual workshops on overseeing potential clash in
the South China Sea, which Indonesia had started and Canada assisted with financing, the
reception of the ASEAN Declaration raised trusts in the harmony and security of the South
China Sea, regardless of the very little possibility of the clashing regional and oceanic cases
being settled in a complete way.

MISCHIEF REEF
These expectations were hindered in March 1995, when the Philippines declared the disclosure
of a steel structure on Mischief Reef, Meiji Jiao in Chinese, with a Chinese banner and an
explanatory reception apparatus on it. One-hundred and thirty miles or 209 kilometers west of
Palawan, the reef had been utilized as asylum by Filipino anglers. To be sure, the Philippines
originally caught wind of the Chinese nearness from Filipino anglers whom the Chinese had
kept at the reef.
Reflecting their alarm at the discovery, the ASEAN foreign ministers issued a statement on 18
March:
We, the ASEAN Foreign Ministers, express our serious concern over recent
developments which affect peace and stability in the South China Sea. We urge
all concerned to remain faithful to the letter and spirit of the Manila Declaration

17 ‘ASEAN Declaration On The South China Sea, Manila, Philippines, 22 July 1992’, Association
of Southeast Asian Nations web site, <http://www.aseansec.org/3634.htm> [Accessed March
26, 2020].

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CAMBODIA - PHILIPPINES RELATIONS

on the South China Sea which we issued in July 1992 and which has been
endorsed by other countries and the Non-Aligned Movement. The Manila
Declaration urges all concerned to resolve differences in the South China Sea
by peaceful means and to refrain from taking actions that de-stabilize the
situation. We call upon all parties to refrain from taking actions that destabilize
the region and further threaten the peace and security of the South China Sea.
We specifically call for the early resolution of the problems caused by recent
developments in Mischief Reef. We urge countries in the region to undertake
cooperative activities which increase trust and confidence and promote stability
in the area.
We encourage all claimants and other countries in Southeast Asia to address
the issue in various fora, including the Indonesia-sponsored Workshop Series
on Managing Potential Conflicts in the South China Sea. 18
At the first meeting of ASEAN and Chinese senior foreign-ministry officials, which happened
to have been scheduled to take place in Hangzhou in April 1995, the ASEAN delegations
pressed China on South China Sea issues, including the significance of the nine bars on Chinese
maps, which dangerously skirt the gas-rich Natuna group of islands of non-claimant Indonesia,
as well as on China’s presence on Mischief Reef.
At their annual regular meeting towards the end of July 1995, the ASEAN foreign ministers
stated their view of the developments in the South China Sea, recording in their joint
communiqué:
The Foreign Ministers expressed their concern over recent events in the South
China Sea. They encouraged all parties concerned to reaffirm their commitment
to the principles contained in the 1992 ASEAN Declaration on the South China
Sea, which urges all claimants to resolve their differences by peaceful means
and to exercise self-restraint. They also called on them to refrain from taking
actions that could destabilize the region, including possibly undermining the
freedom of navigation and aviation in the affected areas. They also encouraged
the claimants to address the issue in various bilateral and multilateral fora. In
this regard, they reiterated the significance of promoting confidence-building
measures (CBMs) and mutually beneficial cooperative ventures in the ongoing
Informal Workshop Series on Managing Potential Conflicts in the South China
Sea initiated by Indonesia.19
In light of the modified design of intensity in East Asia, ASEAN and its Dialog Partners, in
addition to China and Russia, at that point not yet ASEAN Dialog Partners, Vietnam and Laos,
at that point not yet ASEAN individuals, and Papua New Guinea, an ASEAN eyewitness,

18 ‘Statement by the ASEAN Foreign Ministers on the Recent Developments in the South China
Sea, 18 March 1995’, Association of Southeast Asian Nations web site,
<http://www.aseansec.org/2089.htm> [Accessed 26 March 2020].
19 ASEAN, ‘Joint Communique of the Twenty-Eighth ASEAN Ministerial Meeting, Bandar Seri
Begawan, 29-30 July 1995’, Association of Southeast Asian Nations web site,
<http://www.aseansec.org/2087.htm> [Accessed 26 March 2020], para. 9.

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started the ASEAN Regional Forum for interviews on territorial political and security issues.
The principal ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) clerical gathering occurred in 1994. It was
commonly concurred that the circumstance in the South China Sea was one of the flashpoints
of potential clash in the district. In any case, delicate to China's inclination for reciprocal as
opposed to multilateral conversations regarding the matter, the ARF took up the South China
Sea over supper instead of in entire, despite the fact that the whole gathering was held in secret.
The following year, with alert and concern ascending because of the disclosure in Mischief
Reef, the ARF clergymen remembered a passage for the South China in their director's
announcement. The pastors were said to have
expressed concern on overlapping sovereignty claims in the region. They
encouraged all claimants to reaffirm their commitment to the principles
contained in relevant international laws and convention and the ASEAN's 1992
Declaration on the South China Sea. 20
Consequent ARF administrator's announcements conveyed references toward the South China
Sea. For various years, ASEAN kept looking to "internationalize" the South China Sea issue,
in ASEAN and ARF gatherings as well as in other global social affairs also. For instance, the
ASEAN nations have raised the issue at the gatherings of the Non-adjusted Movement, in
which every one of them are individuals and China is a spectator. The Philippines has
additionally looked to turn the worldwide focus on the naturally damaging works on, including
the utilization of explosive and cyanide, of Chinese—and Taiwanese—anglers in the semi-
encased ocean.

3.4 COLLECTIVE ACTION AMONG COMPETING STATES

In spite of the many covering and contending oceanic regional cases among ASEAN part
expresses, this section clarifies that these states have figured out how to participate to determine
debates outside of the South China Sea and, since the marking of the DOC (with a couple of
special cases), have abstained from taking provocative activities identified with challenged
asserts inside the region.21 However, it ought to be underlined that ASEAN, as an organization,
has assumed little job in the reciprocal goals of these questions, albeit worldwide
establishments have. Given this participation, it is likewise obvious that China is seen as the
best risk to the adversary petitioners' power in the South China Sea and that even numerous
non-inquirers, for example, Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand, bolster aggregate activity by
ASEAN on the issue just as regard for worldwide law.
While numerous oceanic regional debates including an ASEAN state, for example, that among
Myanmar and Bangladesh with which this section started, have been settled, there are
significant contrasts in the elements between, and inclinations of, China and each adversary

20 ‘Chairman's Statement, The Second Meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum, Brunei Darussalam, 1 August
1995’, Association of Southeast Asian Nations web site, [Accessed 26 March 2020], para. 11.
21
The exceptions include Vietnam’s dredging work on Ladd Reef in the Spratlys,
reported in late 2016

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ASEAN petitioner when contrasted with these cases. The most evident contrast is the
asymmetry in a critical position of intensity among China and different inquirers. To utilize the
principal case for instance, by a scope of measures, Myanmar and Bangladesh are two of the
most vulnerable states outside of Africa. Both have GDP per capita of under $5,000. In spite
of the fact that the general size of the Bangladeshi economy is twice as extensive as that of
Myanmar, because of the previous' bigger populace, Bangladesh spends only 1.2% of its GDP
on the military, while Myanmar's legislature, up to this point totally commanded by the
military, burns through 3.7%.22 Furthermore, long haul political flimsiness and viciousness just
as feeble improvement in the two states imply that the administrations will in general be
distracted with dangers to the system inside, instead of outside the state's outskirts.
This is in sharp differentiation to Chinese financial and military capacities comparative with
rival petitioners just as China's long-haul monetary advancement and system steadiness. These
undergird the PRC's, and especially President Xi Jinping's newly discovered accentuation on
China as a provincial and worldwide force. For instance, the Chinese economy, as estimated
by GDP, is twenty-six times bigger than that of the Philippines and also overshadows those of
Vietnam and Malaysia, also modest Brunei. What's more, the PRC formally burns through
2.1% of that enormous GDP on its military. While Vietnam and Malaysia spend a comparable
rate on the military, it is a cut of a lot littler pie. The Philippines just spends what could be
compared to 1.2% of its generally little economy on its military, which mostly clarifies the
Benigno Aquino organization's endeavors to revive bases to the US powers that his mom's
organization had kicked out as the Cold War found some conclusion in the mid-1990s.
Notwithstanding China's relative financial and military force, there are the crowd costs if the
system were to withdraw on its power claims. What's more, comparative crowd costs go up
against the legislatures running the other opponent petitioner expresses; these might be most
grounded in the Philippines wherein political foundations give the individuals voice to restrict
an administration that settles on disliked choices. This voice may get stronger if President
Duterte bargains Philippine sway as his six-year term advances. Be that as it may, patriot
pressures don't just effect popularity-based governments; securing state sway, at the end of the
day ensuring itself, is the most principal job of the state.
Force asymmetries recommend that ASEAN individuals could profit by adjusting all things
considered against China; that they have neglected to do so is halfway because of China's
impact. With the goal for ASEAN to push ahead altogether, the inclinations of both of these
states, just as the entirety of different individuals, must be fulfilled; it isn't sufficient to catch
the "middle voter" in an association with a democratic standard that, for every single down to
earth reason, requires unanimity. Given the enormous hole that has existed between these
inclinations, participation is far-fetched. The partition between the Philippines and Cambodia
essentially has been driven by each state's reciprocal relations with China, especially monetary
relations; these relations are, thusly, a component of system type, financial advancement,

22
“Military Expenditure (% of GDP),” Yearbook: Armaments, Disarmament and International Security,
Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), accessed March 27, 2020,
http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/MS.MIL. XPND.GD.ZS.

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CAMBODIA - PHILIPPINES RELATIONS

geology, and history, all of which impact governmental issues, or the battle for power, in these
states.23

4. CAMBODIA – PHILIPPINE ECONOMICS RELATIONS

4.1 AIRLINE SERVICE

Cambodia Airport released a report that Philippine Airline first flown to the skies in 1941,
when Philippine Airlines opened its inaugural flight and gained the distinction to become the
first Asian airline. As the regional carrier for the Philippines, the airline has grown rapidly to
offer full-service flights to 41 international destinations and 36 domestic cities, reaching 2/3 of
the globe with its 97-aircraft youthful fleet. Now Philippine Airlines has extended its operation
to the Kingdom: it launched regular flights between Phnom Penh and Manila on April 1, and
now serves five weekly flights between the two capitals. The new flight directions have
launched just in time for tourists from Cambodia to enjoy the flight promotions on offer through
April 30, as Philippine Airlines celebrates its 78th anniversary by decreasing flight prices to
destinations around the world.

Eric Delobel, CEO of Cambodia Airports, said, “Strengthening our connectivity

with the Philippines has been a key objective. First, tapping on tourism, flights
between Siem Reap and Cebu began in 2012. Then, as business opportunities
between the two countries has continued to grow, now linking the capital cities
– Manila and Phnom Penh – appears compelling and sustainable. Now, with
eight out of ten ASEAN countries directly served, Phnom Penh International
Airport has further extended its connectivity in the region.”

Philippine Airlines also presents customers some of the quickest journeys and most direct flight
directions to the east; the carrier enjoys the largest network of destinations of any Southeast
Asian airline in North America, with 57 weekly direct international flights from Manila to cities
such as New York, Los Angeles, Honolulu and Toronto.

Per Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday flights from Phnom Penh are scheduled
with takeoff at 00:45 and landing in Manila at 04:40. The flights from Manila to the capital are
scheduled every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday with departure at 22:00 and
arrival at 23:55 in Phnom Penh. With its attention focused towards becoming a five-star airline
by 2020, Philippine Airlines is known for its world-class service: it is currently ranked 49th

23
O’Neill, Daniel C. "ASEAN Member States’ Maritime Claims." In Dividing ASEAN and Conquering the
South China Sea: China’s Financial Power Projection, 60-62. Hong Kong: Hong Kong University Press, 2018.
Accessed March 26, 2020. www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctv80cbrn.9.

12
CAMBODIA - PHILIPPINES RELATIONS

among the top 100 airlines worldwide, and has recently earned Skytrax's title of "Most
Improved Airline for 2018"24

4.2 RICE TRADE

The Philippines and Cambodia have finally signed a rice trade agreement to encourage their
mutual economic exchange, the Foreign Affairs Department (DFA) said. The Memorandum of
Agreement (MOA) between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the
Kingdom of Cambodia's Royal Government on Rice Trade was agreed to sign on Thursday by
Noe Wong, Philippine Ambassador to Cambodia, and Cham Prasidh, Cambodian Senior
Minister and Minister of Commerce, the department said in a statement. Referencing Cham
Prasidh, the DFA said the contract would hopefully encourage larger trade between the two
countries of Southeast Asia.

Below are the nine countries that provided 100% of the rice manufactured into the Philippines
for 2018.

1. Thailand: US$355.2 million (48.2% of total rice exports)

2. Vietnam: $280.7 million (38.1%)
3. India: $45.1 million (6.1%)
4. China: $30.7 million (4.2%)
5. Pakistan: $21.3 million (2.9%)
6. Myanmar (Burma): $3.5 million (0.5%)
7. Cambodia: $48,000 (0.007%)
8. Spain: $9,000 (0.001%)
9. Italy: $8,000 (0.001%)

The Philippines is currently the world's leading importer of rice, and the government hoped
that the nation will soon be self-sufficient in rice.25

4.3 CAMBODIA - PHILIPPINES ON INVESTMENTS

Trade relations between the two countries date back to the times preceding the Philippines
'Spanish colonization.
A brisk barter trade between Cambodia and the southern Philippines existed during the 16th
century. During the Spanish period commercial contact persisted. Cambodia forests produced
excellent hardwood for use in the ship-building and boat-building industries, which were

24
“News.” AIRLINE OF THE MONTH Experience the heart of the Filipino with Philippine Airlines |
Cambodia Airports. Accessed February 24, 2020. https://corp.cambodia-airports.aero/en/news/airline-month-
experience-heart-filipino-philippine-airlines
25
Santiago, Danny. “Philippines Rice Imports by Country.” Philippines Around the World, April 4, 2019.
Accessed February 24, 2020. http://www.philippinesaroundtheworld.com/philippines-rice-imports-by-country/.

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CAMBODIA - PHILIPPINES RELATIONS

among the Philippines 'major industries during that time. Shortly before the Khmer Rouge took
over Phnom Penh in 1975, trade relations between the two countries continued until it was fully
severed.
Following the signing of the 1991 Paris Peace Accords, a trickle of Philippine companies
started arriving in Cambodia. Several important events accelerated the entry of Philippine
businesses to the Kingdom.Trade relations between the Philippines and Cambodia began after
a 26-year hiatus in January 1995, after the two countries restored diplomatic links. The two
countries strengthen their relations through a new treaty a few months later.
A group of Philippine businessmen from the Philippines Cambodia Business Council (PCBC)
visited Cambodia in 2010, to explore opportunities for business and investment. While here,
the group was meeting with Cambodian Chamber of Commerce (CCC) officials led by Oknha
Kith Meng. More Philippine companies have since opened a branch or subsidiary in the
Country. Many companies have entered into relations with their counterparts from Cambodia.
More than 50 companies, over 6,000 Filipinos
Today there are over 50 Filipino companies with a presence in the Kingdom. Such businesses
are engaged in everything from aviation and telecommunications to brewing and food
processing. Cambodia's Philippine airlines include Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Petron,
San Miguel, Jewelmer Cambodia, Arise Company, Liway, Penshoppe, All Movers Cambodia,
Filmart Trading, Potato Corner, etc. Mayen Conde, El ConDe's founder and director, said that
her purpose in setting up the company in Cambodia was to apply her expertise and experience
while supporting not only Filipinos but also Cambodians.
El ConDe is a planning, design and engineering company involved in many major building
projects in Cambodia such as hotels, malls, houses, etc.Conde, who first arrived in Cambodia
in 2004, had a previous stint with a consulting firm involved in projects sponsored by NGOs,
the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the World Bank (WB), the United States International
Development Agency (USAID), the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and
others.
There are plenty of Filipino restaurants in Cambodia too. Such establishments not only serve
the Filipino community but are also becoming increasingly popular with local residents and
the Cambodian expat populations. Cambodia is home to more than 6,000 Filipino nationals.
Among these food establishments are MBL, MeMates Resto Bar, Mang Miguel Kainan, Master
Tapsi, and Wing & Beers.26
Cambodia’s being part of ASEAN would unlock opportunities for growth for the two countries.
Duterte met with Cambodian Chamber of Commerce officials and the Filipino businessmen
here. The main priorities of the State are in the tourism and finance fields. Tourism Secretary
Wanda Teo said in a press conference they are encouraging more Cambodian visitors to come

“Philippine Businesses: Growing and Thriving in Cambodia.” Cambodia Property for Sale & Rent. Accessed
26

March 29, 2020. https://www.realestate.com.kh/news/Philippin-businesses-Growing-and-thriving-in-

Cambodia/.

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CAMBODIA - PHILIPPINES RELATIONS

to the Philippines. Approximately 70,000 to 80,000 Filipinos visited various places in

Cambodia last year, but Cambodian tourists only numbered between 2,000 to 3,000.27

4.4 AGRICULTURAL AND AGRIBUSINESS COOPERATION

Agriculture in Cambodia is going through a rapid transition. Over 2004-2012, which was
among the highest in the world, agricultural growth averaged 5.3 per cent. Development was
driven by a combination of increased yields, more efficient labor use through mechanization,
and farmland expansion.

Yet in 2013-2014, agricultural growth slowed to around 1-2 per cent. A report from the World
Bank, Cambodian Agriculture in Transition: Opportunities and Risks, co-funded by the World
Bank and the Government of Australia, raises questions and proposes ways to ensure that
agriculture remains a source of development and poverty reduction.28

The Republic of the Philippines through the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Kingdom
of Cambodia through the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) organized
the First Meeting of the Joint Technical Working Group on Agriculture and Agribusiness
Cooperation of the Philippines- Cambodia. On 5 June 2018, MAFF hosted the meeting at the
Apsara Palace Resort and Conference Center in Siem Reap Province. Ariel T. Cayanan,
Undersecretary for Operations and Agri-fishery Mechanization, headed the Philippines while
San Vanty, Undersecretary of Agriculture, headed Cambodia.

The joint bilateral meeting underlined the success of both sides 'cooperation activities and set
the pace and goals for future collaboration.

The Philippines expressed its readiness to share information through training on the Fish and
Fishery Products Quality Assurance Program, Pesticide Residue Analysis in Agri-food
Products, and the Quality and Safety Management System for Agri-food Products. Similarly,
Cambodia took the black pepper germplasm exchange plan from the Philippines favorably.
Both countries agreed to come up with results ahead of the second meeting which the
Philippines is scheduled to host in the third quarter of 2019.29

27
Mendez, Christina. “Philippine Businesses Growing in Cambodia.” philstar.com. The Philippine Star,
December 23, 2016. Accessed March 31, 2020.
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2016/12/15/1653664/philippine-businesses-growing-cambodia.
28
“Cambodian Agriculture in Transition: Opportunities and Risks.” World Bank. Accessed March 29, 2020.
https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/cambodia/publication/cambodian-agriculture-in-transition-opportunities-
and-risks.
29
“Philippines-Cambodia First Joint Technical Working Group on Agriculture.” Official Portal of the
Department of Agriculture, June 14, 2018. Accessed March 29, 2020. http://www.da.gov.ph/philippines-
cambodia-first-joint-technical-working-group-on-agriculture/.

15
CAMBODIA - PHILIPPINES RELATIONS

5. CAMBODIA – PHILIPPINES SOCIAL RELATIONS

5.1 EDUCATIONAL EXCHANGE
Education in the Philippines offers high quality education in the Asia Pacific region (with
classes conducted entirely in the English language), without the sky-high school fees and
intimidating living costs. Most importantly, Cambodians in the Philippines will not be feeling
like a foreigner. Indeed, living and studying in the Philippines may feel like a "home away
from home" for Cambodian students. Men in the Philippines and Khmer have similar tastes in
food and colors, culture and fashions. The people are polite, open and care for others with
honesty. Getting a Philippine education is a gateway to brighter opportunities in both the
private and public sectors. Among all subjects English is the medium of instruction. From
business, medical, engineering, agriculture, architecture, and aviation–Philippine educational
institutions are offering courses in all areas of interest to students from Cambodia.30

The Philippine Embassy in Phnom Penh Successfully Holds First Tourism, Trade and
Educational Fair in Cambodia
The Philippine Embassy in Cambodia successfully organized the first Philippine Fair of Travel,
Exchange and Education called "Philippine Experience!" At Sunflower Ballroom, Himawari
Hotel, on 23 November 2019. Travel agents selling travel packages to the Philippines,
language colleges, Filipino restaurants and businesses were on hand to introduce the tourists to
their items.
The Fair also hosted a number of cultural performances, including Philippine folk dances,
kundiman or love song renditions, traditional English and Filipino Christmas songs, and
Filipino martial arts. Visitors also enjoyed the all-time favorite "lechon" or roast pig with a
complimentary taste of the meal. A brief lesson on how to wear banaca wraps rafted by world-
famous Filipina model Ms. Ditta Sandico was also presented and accompanied by a fashion
show welcoming Cambodians to traditional Philippine apparel. For many tourists the Oslob
picture wall was also a success. The Fair was arranged by the Philippine Embassy to further
promote the Philippines as a tourism and educational destination, in collaboration with the
Philippine Department of Tourism. Prior to the Fair, a business matching and networking
reception was held to promote cooperation between Philippine and Cambodian tour operators,
as well as Philippine English schools and consultancy agencies for college and Cambodian
studies. And their natural attractions, such as active volcanoes and beautiful white beaches, the
Philippines has plenty to offer Cambodians. The Philippines is also becoming a popular
educational, retail, and fashion destination. 31

30 “Studying in the Philippines.” Khmer Times, August 27, 2017. Accessed February 24, 2020.
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/80194/studying-in-the-philippines/.
31
“Manila, Phnom Penh to Be Connected by Direct Flight in April.” Khmer Times, March 5, 2019. Accessed
March 28, 2020. https://www.khmertimeskh.com/584073/manila-phnom-penh-to-be-connected-by-direct-flight-
in-april/.

16
CAMBODIA - PHILIPPINES RELATIONS

Philippine Embassy in Phnom Penh Organizes a Storytelling Activity for Filipino and
Khmer Children in Siem Reap.
26 December 2019, Phnom Penh–The Embassy arranged a storytelling experience for Filipino
and Khmer children in Siem Reap during the Embassy's Mobile Consular Service in Siem Reap
on 22 December 2019 in celebration of Rizal Month and the upcoming Rizal Day, on 30
December. Twenty children with ages ranging from 7 to 19 years old participated in the
activity. The Khmer children came from Samrong Community in Sangkat Teuk Vil and Knat,
Siem Reap. The storytelling entitled "Si Pagong at Matsing (The Turtle and the Monkey),"
which was originally written and illustrated by Philippine National Hero Jose Rizal, was taught
by Siem Reap-based Filipino teacher Rosemarie Liu. She began by welcoming Jose Rizal to
his mother country, and his contribution. She lifted the moral principles shown in the story
after the narration, which use humor rather than brawn, and avoid using deception in dealing
with people.32

5.2 PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE EXCHANGES

Statement of H.E. Mr. PRAK Sokhonn, Sr Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and
International Cooperation on Political, Economic and Cultural and Social Cooperation said that
“People-to-people exchanges have been on the upswing trend. Currently, there
are 4 direct flights per week servicing between Siem Reap and Manila and as a
result, Cambodia was able to welcome more than 108,000 Filipino visitors last
year. I anticipate that in the near future, we will conclude a direct air
connection between Phnom Penh and Manila, at which time, I am confident that
we will be able to boost not only more two-way tourist flows but also facilitate
more economic and business interactions between our two capitals.”33

5.3 TOURISM COOPERATION

Philippine Ambassador Christopher B. Montero made an introductory call on H.E. Thong
Khon, Minister of Tourism of Cambodia, at the Ministry of Tourism in Phnom Penh on 04
August 2015.
During their meeting, Ambassador Montero expressed the desire of the Government of the
Philippines to promote cooperation on tourism and exchanges with Cambodia between
individuals. He noted that about 93,000 Filipinos visited Cambodia in 2014 while slightly more
than 3,000 Cambodians visited the Philippines. He also expressed hope for the signing of a

32
User, Super. “GOVPH.” "Experience The Philippines! The Philippine Embassy In Phnom Penh Successfully
Holds First Tourism, Trade And Educational Fair In Cambodia. Accessed March 28, 2020.
https://phnompenhpe.dfa.gov.ph/embassy-news/913-experience-the-philippines-the-philippine-embassy-in-
phnom-penh-successfully-holds-first-tourism-trade-and-educational-fair-in-cambodia.
33
Samreth, Socheat. “Statement of H.E. Mr. PRAK Sokhonn, Sr Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and
International Cooperation on Political, Economic and Cultural and Social Cooperation.” អង្គភាពព័ត៌មាន និង្ប្រតិកម្មរហ័ស,
December 8, 2017. Accessed March 30, 2020. https://pressocm.gov.kh/en/archives/19054.

17
CAMBODIA - PHILIPPINES RELATIONS

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Tourism Cooperation for the Philippines-

Cambodia Implementation Program, which will promote cooperation on tourism planning and
growth, marketing and promotion, and human resources creation. During their meeting,
Ambassador Montero expressed the desire of the Government of the Philippines to promote
cooperation on tourism and exchanges with Cambodia between individuals. He noted that
about 93,000 Filipinos visited Cambodia in 2014 while slightly more than 3,000 Cambodians
visited the Philippines.
He also expressed hope for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on
Tourism Cooperation for the Philippines-Cambodia Implementation Program, which will
promote cooperation on tourism planning and growth, marketing and promotion, and human
resources creation.34

5.4 CULTURAL COOPERATION

In clear ceremonies held at the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts in Phnom Penh on 19 June
2015 the Philippines signed a Cultural Agreement with Cambodia.
Speaker Felipe M. De Leon, Jr. of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA),
signed the agreement on behalf of the Philippines, while Minister of Culture and Fine Arts
Phoeung Sackona signed the agreement on behalf of Cambodia.
The agreement is intended to provide a basis for closer collaboration between the two countries
in the field of culture. It seeks to promote understanding and appreciation of the culture, history
and general way of life of each nation through the exchange of materials dealing with culture
and the arts, cultural exhibitions and performances, and the exchange of conservation experts,
specialists and scholars, and the creation of tangible and intangible heritages.
In a bilateral meeting held before the ceremony, Chairman de Leon stated that the Philippines
and Cambodia, despite being geographically close to each other, do not know as much about
each other as they should. He added that both countries have very young populations, so it is
important to spend time and money to improve mutual understanding and appreciation of the
cultures of one another.35

34
Manager, Website. “GOVPH.” PHILIPPINE AMBASSADOR PAYS COURTESY CALL ON H.E. THONG
KHON, MINISTER OF TOURISM. Accessed March 29, 2020. https://phnompenhpe.dfa.gov.ph/embassy-
news/158-courtesy-call-to-h-e-thong-khon.
35
Manager, Website. “GOVPH.” PHILIPPINES AND CAMBODIA SIGN CULTURAL AGREEMENT.
Accessed March 29, 2020. https://phnompenhpe.dfa.gov.ph/embassy-news/139-cultural-agreement.

18
CAMBODIA - PHILIPPINES RELATIONS

6. CONCLUSION
Cambodia – Philippines relations applies to Philippine-Cambodia diplomatic ties. Relations
were formally established in August 1957.36 Since the resumption of diplomatic relations in
1995 the Philippines and Cambodia have maintained cordial links. Cambodia also operates an
embassy in Manila and an embassy in Phnom Penh in the Philippines.37
Cambodia was a source of boat building for Manila because of the excellent timber that came
from the country's forests. Both countries have agreements on economic and trade relations,
agricultural and agribusiness collaboration, and tourism cooperation. Both countries have
maintained cordial ties since the resumption of diplomatic relations. The Philippines and
Cambodia will sign an agreement to combat transnational crime and terrorism.38 The two
countries have signed Economic and Trade Ties Agreements, Food and Industrial Cooperation,
and Cooperation on Tourism.39
Although Cambodia is China's close ally, relations between the Philippines and Cambodia
remain strong despite a rift in early 2012 over the failure of the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations to issue a joint declaration on territorial disputes in the South China Sea, Phnom Penh's
Philippine ambassador said. Noe Wong, Cambodian ambassador to the Philippines, described
relations between the two countries as "good and excellent"40
Cambodia recalled its former Ambassador to the Philippines, Hos Sereythonh, on his allegation
that the Philippines and Vietnam used "dirty diplomacy" to pressure the other members of
ASEAN for a joint stance on the South China Sea dispute. Cambodia halted a single ASEAN
stance in 2016, using the case decision that the Philippines won against China. Cambodia's
stance on the issue may affect its own territorial disputes with Thailand, as the importance of
the case against China by the Philippines is similar to Cambodia's dispute with Thailand. By
ruling in favor of China, Cambodia signaled that Thailand's occupation on its territories is also
just.41

36
Ranada, Pia. “Duterte off to Cambodia, Singapore in December.” Rappler. Accessed March 30, 2020.
http://www.rappler.com/nation/155017-duterte-state-visits-cambodia-singapore.
37
“US, China OK Cyber Talks.” Manila Bulletin. Accessed March 30, 2020.
https://web.archive.org/web/20130603123625/http://mb.com.ph/main.php.
38
“Philippines, Cambodia to Sign Agreement to Combat Transnational Crime, Terrorism.” Office of the
President. Accessed March 30, 2020.
https://web.archive.org/web/20130607040847/http://www.president.gov.ph/news/philippines-cambodia-to-sign-
agreement-to-combat-transnational-crime-terrorism/#.
39
Manila Bulletin. Accessed March 30, 2020.
https://web.archive.org/web/20130607154615/http://mb.com.ph/node/340583/national-day-cambodia-
wedne#.UQXcXh03uVI.
40
Chua, Ryan. “PH-Cambodia Relations Excellent, Says Envoy.” ABS. ABS-CBN News, November 17, 2012.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/11/16/12/ph-cambodia-relations-excellent-says-envoy.
41
Reyes, Fatima, and Tarra Quismundo. “Cambodia Recalls Envoy to Philippines.” Global News Cambodia
recalls envoy to Philippines Comments. Accessed March 30, 2020.
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/46783/cambodian-envoy-sent-home-over-west-philippine-sea-comments.

19
CAMBODIA - PHILIPPINES RELATIONS

7. REFERENCES
1. DFA Website Admin Support, “GOVPH,” Philippines-Cambodia Relations, April 26,
2019, Accessed February 8, 2020. https://phnompenhpe.dfa.gov.ph/phl-cambodia-
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2. Hermes, “Cambodia, Philippines Boost Relations with Four Pacts,” The Straits Times,
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asia/cambodia-philippines-boost-relations-with-four-pacts)
3. “60th Anniversary of Philippine-Cambodia Diplomatic Relations: A Vibrant People-
Centered Relationship,” Khmer Times, August 27, 2017. Accessed February 9, 2020,
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/80187/60th-anniversary-philippine-cambodia-diplomatic-
relations-vibrant-people-centered-relationship/)
4. Rappler.com, “FAST FACTS: PH-Cambodia Relations through the Years,” Rappler,
December 13, 2016. Accessed February 9, 2020.
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5. Esteves, “Pinoys in Cambodia make good as managers,” Philippine Star, December 23,
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cambodia-make-good-as-managers
6. Miller, “Hun Sen and Duterte: strongmen plan crackdown on regional crime,” Southeast
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7. ARSENIO R. ANDOLONG, “Philippines, Cambodia Hold Defense Cooperation
Conference”, Public Affairs Service, 26 March 2019. Accessed March 30, 2020.
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HoldDefenseCooperationConference.pdf
8. Samreth, Socheat. “Statement of H.E. Mr. PRAK Sokhonn, Sr Minister, Minister of
Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on Political, Economic and Cultural and
Social Cooperation.” អង្គភាពព័ត៌មាន និង្ប្រតិកម្មរហ័ស, December 8, 2017. Accessed March 30, 2020.
https://pressocm.gov.kh/en/archives/19054.
9. Cheang Sokha, “Kingdom Reaffirms South China Sea Stance,” The Phnom Penh
Post, May 8, 2015, accessed March 25, 2020, http://www.phnompenhpost.
com/national/kingdom-reaffirms-south-china-sea-stance

10. “Cambodian PM Reiterates Country’s Stance over South China Sea ahead
of US-ASEAN Summit,” Xinhua News Agency, February 5, 2016, accessed
September 21, 2016, http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/967614.shtml.

20
CAMBODIA - PHILIPPINES RELATIONS

11. O’Neill, Daniel C. "Sino-Cambodian Ties That Bind." In Dividing ASEAN and
Conquering the South China Sea: China’s Financial Power Projection, 112-45. Hong
Kong: Hong Kong University Press, 2018. Accessed March 25, 2020.
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12. Henry Rhoel R. Aguda and Jesusa Loreto A. Arellano-Aguda, “The Philippine
Claim over the Spratly Group of Islands: An Application of Article 76 of the
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ph/the-philippine-claim-over-the-spratly-group-of-islands-an-applications-ofarticle-76-of-
the-unclos/#_ftn61

14. Christopher C. Joyner, “The Spratly Islands Dispute in the South China Sea:
Problems, Policies, and Prospects for Diplomatic Accommodation” (Washington:
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15. Peter Lee, “America’s Scarborough Shoal Dolchstoss,” Asia Times Online, March 25,
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16. “Philippines Urges China to Show Respect in South China Sea,” The Straits
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20150205;

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22. The exceptions include Vietnam’s dredging work on Ladd Reef in the Spratlys, reported
in late 2016 “Military Expenditure (% of GDP),” Yearbook: Armaments, Disarmament
and International Security, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI),
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23.O’Neill, Daniel C. "ASEAN Member States’ Maritime Claims." In Dividing ASEAN and
Conquering the South China Sea: China’s Financial Power Projection, 60-62. Hong Kong:
Hong Kong University Press, 2018. Accessed March 26, 2020.
www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctv80cbrn.9.
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philippine-airlines
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businesses-Growing-and-thriving-in-Cambodia/.
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29. “Philippines-Cambodia First Joint Technical Working Group on Agriculture.” Official
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agriculture/.
30. “Studying in the Philippines.” Khmer Times, August 27, 2017. Accessed February 24,
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first-tourism-trade-and-educational-fair-in-cambodia.
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CAMBODIA - PHILIPPINES RELATIONS

33. Samreth, Socheat. “Statement of H.E. Mr. PRAK Sokhonn, Sr Minister, Minister of
Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on Political, Economic and Cultural and
Social Cooperation.” អង្គភាពព័ត៌មាន និង្ប្រតិកម្មរហ័ស, December 8, 2017. Accessed March 30, 2020.
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35. Manager, Website. “GOVPH.” PHILIPPINES AND CAMBODIA SIGN CULTURAL
AGREEMENT. Accessed March 29, 2020. https://phnompenhpe.dfa.gov.ph/embassy-
news/139-cultural-agreement.
36. Ranada, Pia. “Duterte off to Cambodia, Singapore in December.” Rappler. Accessed
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37. “US, China OK Cyber Talks.” Manila Bulletin. Accessed March 30, 2020.
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Office of the President. Accessed March 30, 2020.
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es-cambodia-to-sign-agreement-to-combat-transnational-crime-terrorism/#.
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http://globalnation.inquirer.net/46783/cambodian-envoy-sent-home-over-west-philippine-
sea-comments.

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