The Lon Nol regime (1970-1975)

In 1970, Prince Sihanouk went to Europe for a diplomatic mission. During this time, General Lon Nol took advantage of the Prince’s absence and led a coup to establish a “right-wing government”. He sought help from American and South Vietnamese governments and then cut ties with China. These events had a major impact on the Chinese community. It also led to the beginning of the discrimination of Chinese in Cambodia.

Aside from cutting ties with China, Lon Nol closed down Chinese schools and newspapers. Meanwhile, the Khmer Rouge led guerrilla forces and established its headquarters in Battambang province. The leaders of these guerilla forces requested Sihanouk, who was then exiled in Beijing, to join them in their fight against Lon Nol’s government. Sihanouk agreed and together they formed the United Royal Government of Kampuchea. The group gained support from Cambodian patriots, which threatened Lon Nol’s rule.

In an effort to control the influence of Khmer Rouge, Lol Nol started anti-Chinese sentiments. He accused the Chinese of challenging Khmer culture and morality. With increasing economic difficulties, Lol Nol’s efforts set off anti-Chinese riots which resulted to the burn down of Chinese shops and the death of several Chinese traders.

In addition, Lon Nol established the Federated Association of Chinese in order to control the Chinese. This new organization was built to replace previous existing Chinese structure. But Lon Nol didn’t stop there. He even issued special Chinese identity cards and imposed special taxes to the Chinese.

The Khmer Rouge (1970-1978)

Chinese schools remained open in the regions controlled by the Khmer Rogue. In reality, the Chinese did not get any special attention, be it positive or negative.

Initially, the Khmer Rouge encouraged a multi-ethnic society. In 1974 however, the group changed drastically when they started emphasizing the importance of Khmer identity in their revolution. They warned other ethnic groups against dividing the rebel forces. Again, the Chinese experienced discrimination. In 1975, the Khmer Rouge came into power as Democratic Kampuchea, also called the Pol Pot regime. This brought about extreme oppression as the group used their “mono-ethnic policy”.

During this period, the Chinese population in Cambodia decreased from 400,000 to 200,000. This was caused by the Khmer Rouge’s decision to empty the cities. The group’s decision forced the Chinese population to move to the countryside. But the countryside was undeveloped and this caused starvation and death among some of the Chinese.

Although there was little evidence to prove that the Chinese were for special treatment, the elimination of all social inequality and all Vietnamese conspirators fell tragically on the Chinese. The cruelty was reinforced further with the growing Vietnamese threat.

The People’s Republic of Kampuchea

Anti-Chinese incidents increased during the final years of Democratic Kampuchea. In fact, the incidents made the Chinese long for the Vietnamese invasion in 1979. The invasion ended the Pol Pot regime and established the pro-Vietnamese government of the People’s Republic of Kampuchea led by Heng Samrin.

Unfortunately, the Chinese in Cambodia continued to experience discrimination and oppression during the Vietnam government. This was due to China’s support to the Pol Pot regime and China’s invasion of Vietnam in 1979.

The Vietnamese government banned the Chinese from returning to urban trading. With this, many Chinese fled to Thailand. Those who failed to leave hid their identity. Some tried to pass themselves as Khmer. Moreover, many of the Chinese had to cremate their dead in hopes that it would give the impression that they are Khmers.

In 1986-1989, the anti-Chinese government calmed down slowly and with that, Chinese organizations started to emerge once again.

Contemporary Cambodia

When the Vietnamese armies left in 1989, the State of Cambodia was established and things started to look up for the Chinese. In 1990, relations between Phnom Penh and Beijing were stabilized and the Chinese in Cambodia felt more comfortable with their identity. The Chinese started to establish themselves once again in the Cambodian economy.

The Association of Chinese National in Cambodia (Jianpuzhai Huaren Lishihui) was established in 1990 for the Chinese in Cambodia. The association was established by the government and was forbidden to join any political activity. Aside from this, the Chinese were allowed to celebrate Chinese festivals as well as follow their religious practices. In 1991, the Chinese experienced a turning point in their freedom when Sihanouk returned to Cambodia and became king.

Today, there are about 350,000 Chinese in Cambodia. This number, however, does not provide an accurate estimate of the Chinese community as they are now scattered all over the country. In addition, the Chinese have engaged in intermarriage and have integrated themselves into the Cambodian culture.

Source: Pan, Lynn. (Ed.). (1999). The Encyclopedia of the Chinese Overseas. Harvard University Press: Cambridge, Massachusetts.