China has granted over US$100 million in military aid to Cambodia, Cambodia’s Defence Ministry said on Tuesday, highlighting the strong ties between Beijing and a government that critics accuse of destroying democracy ahead of an election next month. As one of China’s closest allies in Southeast Asia, Cambodia’s ‘subservience’ is strategic, supporting both the current regime of Prime Minister Hun Sen and the development of the country. Amid dwindling support from the West, China has been a willing patron to front the Cambodian government’s industry and infrastructure projects, writes Darren Touch for The Diplomat. More than two-thirds of Cambodia’s $4.3 billion in bilateral debt is owed to China, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Rising financial dependence on China should raise concerns over the capacity of Cambodia to remain independent, according Ou Virak, founder and president of the Future Forum think tank.