Cambodia is to scrap an annual joint military exercise with the US in the latest shake-up in security co-operation between Washington and Southeast Asian capitals.
The cancellation comes as Beijing and Washington battle for influence in Southeast Asia amid signs that president-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration could take a tougher line over China’s maritime territory claims in the region. Countries including the Philippines and Malaysia have already sought closer ties with Beijing.
Phnom Penh insisted the decision was unrelated to its strong and growing ties with China, with which it held a large military exercise named the “Golden Dragon” for the first time last month.