1712 ISSN 2286-4822 www.euacademic.org EUROPEAN ACADEMIC RESEARCH Vol. IV, Issue 2/ May 2016 Impact Factor: 3.4546 (UIF) DRJI Value: 5.9 (B+) Cambodia’s Strategic Relationship with China and the United States: Implications for Cambodia’s Development Aid VEASNA VAR PhD Candidate Political and International Studies School of Humanities and Social Sciences University of New South Wales (UNSW) at Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) Canberra, Australia Abstract: The strategic competition between the United States (U.S.) and China in the region has significant impact on Southeast Asia in general and Cambodia in particular. Cambodia faces tough decisions in choosing between the two superpowers: balancing their relationship with China and the U.S. so that Cambodia’s interests are not compromised and striving to gain the most out of the superpowers so that Cambodia’s interests will be advanced. The U.S. and China have different motivations, policy characteristics and interests to influence in Cambodia. The U.S. seeks to strengthen democracy and the rule of law, whereas China places greater focus on natural resources, business and political advantage. Cambodia desperately needs a liberal democratic society to facilitate security, stability and sustainable development. Cambodia also needs to develop its infrastructure, and to pursue economic development. China and the U.S. are vitally important to Cambodia’s economic and security development. This paper will focus on the characteristics of the U.S. and Chinese assistance to Cambodia, and will critically analyse just how Cambodia can best maximise this aid to ensure the future of Cambodia’s economic and security development.