The once leadership-turmoil stricken former King of Cambodia has passed on.
And it’s not just China, Singapore’s former president SR Nathan too, weighed in with the true friend narrative – Singapore loses a “true friend” with Sihanouk’s death (Channel News Asia, October 16, 2012)
See also – Int’l society mourns passing away of ex-Cambodian king (Xinhua, October 16, 2012)
The Global Times communicates China’s ideological memories on anti-hegemonic diplomacy:
Looking around the world, China has too few friends like Sihanouk. We have too many scruples regarding Western diplomatic actions. We rarely have the opportunity to express China’s values and developing countries’ common moral principles. Of course, China has come a long way from the maverick country in the 1970s that was at odds with both the US and the Soviet Union. It has deeply integrated itself into world systems, upholding a cautious and balanced approach to diplomacy. The era in which Tiananmen Square hosted an anti-US rally to welcome Sihanouk is forever gone.
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Sihanouk reminds China of shared stand
Global Times Op-Ed
Source – Global Times, published October 16, 2012
Retired Cambodian king Norodom Sihanouk died in Beijing early Monday morning at the age of 90. Sihanouk was one of China’s closest friends. He reminded us of the close relations between the two countries and provided enlightenment on the future of China’s diplomacy.
Chinese society is more familiar with “Prince Sihanouk.” His government was overthrown by a US-instigated coup in 1970 because of his persistence in adhering to neutral diplomacy, and his refusal to join the US-dominated Southeast Asia Collective Defense Treaty. China accepted him at his most difficult time.
It was a high-profile action by China’s anti-hegemonic diplomacy. Some Web users think that China’s investment into Cambodia is a poor decision. This argument itself is small-minded and populist. These views are totally incompatible with China’s fundamental interests. Read the rest of this entry »
Filed under: ASEAN, Beijing Consensus, Cambodia, Chinese Model, Communications, Government & Policy, History, Influence, International Relations, Mapping Feelings, Nationalism, Peaceful Development, Pollution, Public Diplomacy, Soft Power, Strategy, The Chinese Identity, The construction of Chinese and Non-Chinese identities, U.S., China's Rise, History, International Relations, Nationalism, Politics, Public Diplomacy, Strategy, U.S.
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