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Pou Sothirak

Pou Sothirak

SCMP Contributor
Pou Sothirak is a retired academic and Distinguished Senior Adviser to the Cambodian Center for Regional Studies (CCRS). Previously secretary of state at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, he remains an adviser to the Cambodian government. He has extensive experience in international relations through his time as a visiting senior research fellow at Singapore’s Institute of Southeast Asia Studies (ISEAS) and as Cambodian Ambassador to Japan. He was Minister of Industry, Mines, and Energy of Cambodia from 1993-1998.

The 180km Funan Techo Canal project has the potential to supercharge Cambodia’s economy. But lingering socio-economic, environmental and security concerns remain.

The Asean Community Vision 2045 has lofty goals, but to succeed the bloc must strengthen its strategic autonomy and ability to manoeuvre skilfully between the world’s two largest powers.

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The US needs to clearly explain why Asean needs America and how the grouping factors into the US’ Indo-Pacific strategy without asking the bloc to disregard China’s interest in the region.

Seoul’s New Southern Policy has helped expand ties to Southeast Asian nations, but the next iteration needs to more clearly identify the opportunities ahead and focus on efforts to build a more peaceful and secure East Asia.

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