China-Cambodia Relations Benefit Many, Likely to Deepen, Chandler Says

David P. Chandler has written six books on the history of Cambodia, along with numerous academic articles. His first book, “A History of Cambodia,” has been translated into multiple languages, including French, Khmer and Thai. At the Association of Asian Studies 2018 annual conference two months ago in Washington DC, Chandler’s scholarly work on Cambodia’s history was recognized with the Award for Distinguished Contributions to Asian Studies. It is the U.S.-based association’s highest honor. Chandler is an emeritus professor at Monash University. He served as a U.S. Foreign Service officer in Cambodia from 1960-62. The 85-year-old scholar sat down with VOA Khmer’s Chetra Chap on the sidelines of the conference to discuss Cambodia’s relationship with China, authoritarianism in Southeast Asia, and his career as a historian.