Well-known Chinese news site Sina recently reported that, according a number of Indian media sources, India has decided not to join The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which is mainly led by China, as an alternative to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) from which the U.S. withdrew under President Trump. The RCEP negotiations started in 2012 and are expected to be signed next year, without India. The Indian announcement sent a shockwave across China. According to multiple sources, India’s decision was mainly based on the concerns that the negotiation neglected some of India’s core interests and the agreement requires opening up the Indian services market to 15 countries as well as lowering tariffs on Chinese products. India is especially worried about China taking advantage of India’s weak economic situation and “eating into India’s breakfast and lunch.” India’s hesitation was the reason for the delayed negotiation and the other 15 countries have been waiting. Several internal sources also said that India raised some tough last-minute new conditions.

Source: Sina, November 4, 2019
https://finance.sina.com/gb/economy/economy_global/huanqiu/2019-11-04/doc-ifzqmtky6730542.shtml

Major Taiwanese news network Liberty Times Network (LTN) recently reported that an individual named Deeran Kumar submitted a petition on Change.org asking the government of the United Kingdom  to revoke the citizenship of Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam’s husband and her two sons. The petition was filed after Carrie Lam used her executive power to introduce and enforce the anti-mask law against the pro-democracy protesters. The law bypassed the legislative process under the measure called the Emergency Regulations Ordinance (ERO). The petition declared that this event effectively put Hong Kong into a state of emergency. Thus “the rule of law is dead and it has become rule by law.” The petition said the British government has a moral responsibility to take action. As of November 2, the petition had received more than 100,000 signatures. According to British law, the UK government must respond to this petition. {Editor’s Note: As of November 9, the petition had received 160,000 signatures. The web address of the live petition is: https://www.change.org/p/uk-home-office-uk-home-office-should-revoke-carrie-lam-s-family-citizenship}

Source: LTN, November 2, 2019
https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/world/breakingnews/2965630

China’s large-scale investment in Cambodia has won strong support from the Hun Sen government and has benefited some Cambodians as well. However, the influx of Chinese people and money has affected the lives of local people and caused dissatisfaction. People complain that the Chinese drive too fast and drink too much alcohol, that they do not respect Cambodians, and that they do business with Chinese only. NGO’s have put forth the criticism that the Chinese don’t care about human rights, the law, or the environment.

China’s influence has become a major issue for the Cambodian opposition party. Teav Vannol, chairman of the Cambodian opposition Candlelight Party, said that many Cambodians traditionally dislike Vietnamese because of the history of Vietnam’s invasion. Now they are even more unhappy with the Chinese.

China has become Cambodia’s largest investor, donor, and creditor. Many Cambodians worry that China’s “One Belt, One Road” project and the Cambodian government’s growing dependence on Beijing will make the country a vassal of China. Vannol observed, “If you go back to history, King Sihanouk drove out the Americans in 1965 and then China’s Chairman Mao became the big brother. You see what happened next. The war broke out in 1970. In 1975 Pol Pot and the Chinese Communist Party took control of the country, and you saw the destruction of Cambodia. This is my biggest concern. I am worried that history will repeat itself.”

A Cambodian government spokesman said that Cambodia’s constitution, diversity, and the existence of political parties that support the United States have determined that the country will not be completely tied to China. Cambodia must be a neutral and sovereign independent country.

Source: Voice of America, November 6, 2019
https://www.voachinese.com/a/anti-china-backlash-in-cambodia-caused-by-influx-of-chinese-people-and-money-20191106/5155286.html