Taiwan Excludes Cambodia from Visa Programs; Phnom Penh Reaffirms Unwavering 'One China' Stance

Taiwan's decision to remove Cambodia from two visa-facilitation programs has sparked commentary beyond a mere travel issue, with some Thai media and social media users appearing to mock the Kingdom. However, these reactions overlook the significant fact that Cambodia's support for the 'One China' principle is not a new stance or political calculation, but a foreign policy principle consistently maintained for decades. During his recent working visit to China, Prime Minister Hun Manet reaffirmed Cambodia's "unwavering" commitment to the 'One China' policy during his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Cambodia considers issues related to Taiwan, Hong Kong, Tibet, and Xinjiang as China's internal affairs. Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Cambodia would no longer be eligible for the Guanhong Project and the Travel Authorization Certificate program, accusing Cambodia of failing to reciprocate Taiwan's goodwill and making statements that undermine Taiwan's sovereignty. Cambodia has the right to maintain its diplomatic position, as it has done for many years. China welcomed Cambodia's stance. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated that Taiwan is "an inalienable part of China's territory" and that the 'One China' principle represents an international consensus. The spokesperson added that Cambodia's commitment to the principle demonstrates that what Beijing describes as separatist efforts by Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party authorities "find no support and will lead nowhere." Notably, Thailand also reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the 'one China' policy in a joint Thai-Chinese statement released days prior. Thailand also supported China's "one country, two systems" policy. However, the reactions from some Thai media outlets raise questions about consistency. Thailand also maintains close relations with Beijing, with Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha describing China and Thailand as "one family." This raises a question: if Cambodia is being criticized for reaffirming its position on the 'One China' policy, how should similar approaches toward Beijing by other countries be viewed? Cambodia has chosen consistency over political convenience. Its policy toward China has remained clear and unchanged for decades. In international diplomacy, credibility comes from standing by one's principles. Cambodia's position may not satisfy everyone, but it reflects a clear and long-established policy rather than a temporary political move. At the same time, Cambodia continues to pursue friendly relations with all countries based on mutual respect, cooperation, and shared interests. Supporting the 'One China' policy does not mean Cambodia opposes other nations; it reflects Cambodia's own diplomatic choice and commitment to constructive relations with the international community.