Dara Sakor

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Dara Sakor (Khmer: តារាសាគរ; Chinese: 七星海; pinyin: Qīxīnghǎi) is a special economic zone in Cambodia. The zone encompasses 139 square miles (360 km2) carved out of Botum Sakor National Park, along the coastline of Koh Kong province, encompassing nearly 20% of Cambodia's coastline.[1] In 2007, the Chinese government adopted it as a Belt and Road Initiative project, underwriting a US$15 million bond.[2] In 2008, the Cambodian government granted Chinese-owned Union Development Group (UDG), a subsidiary of Wanlong Group based in Tianjin, a 99-year lease to operate the zone, which includes a US$3.9 billion investment to build the Dara Sakor International Airport, a deep water port, an industrial zone, and resort facilities.[2][1][3] Dara Sakor's developments have courted significant scrutiny for corruption, potential use by the Chinese military, land disputes, and illicit operations, including human trafficking and cyber scamming.

Ownership[edit]

Union Development Group (UDG) is the principal developer of Dara Sakor. UDG is a subsidiary of Tianjin Youlian Development Group Company, a major property developer founded by Li Zhiqiang.[4] A major development partner is Zhengheng Group, owned by Deng Pibing.[4] The project's financing sources remain unclear.[4] The American government describes UDG as a Chinese state-owned firm, although the company itself has denied such allegations.[4]

Controversies[edit]

Land seizures[edit]

Over 1,000 families were impacted by the project, with entire villages evicted and resettled without appropriate compensation.[5][6] UDG seized and demolished local land with assistance from private security and the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces under the leadership of senior general Kun Kim.[7] Forests from Botum Sakor National Park were cleared, despite existing Cambodian law that only enables protected areas to be transferred by royal decree.[7] In March 2018, the Cambodian government directed its Ministry of Environment to return some land to villagers.[2] In October 2021, hundreds of local families impacted by the land dispute refused the proposed lottery-based compensation from the developer for being inadequate.[8]

Illicit operations[edit]

Cyber scam and human trafficking operations have been reported in Dara Sakor's Long Bay project.[9] As of July 2022, at least 50 human trafficking victims had been rescued from Long Bay.[10] Long Bay was previously connected to She Zhijiang, a convicted Chinese businessman.[5]

Possible military use[edit]

The United States Department of State has asserted that the Dara Sakor airport's 3,400 m (11,200 ft) airstrip can host Chinese military aircraft.[1][11] The deep-water port can also support Chinese warships.[12] The Cambodian government has granted the Chinese government exclusive rights to operate within the nearby Ream Naval Base, Cambodia's largest, for 30 years.[13][14]

US sanctions[edit]

In September 2020, the United States government blacklisted UDG for corruption, land seizures from locals, and from "credible reports" the development could be used to host Chinese military assets.[15][8]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Foulkes, John; Wang, Howard (2019-08-14). "China's Future Naval Base in Cambodia and the Implications for India". Jamestown. Retrieved 2023-03-09.
  2. ^ a b c "In Cambodia, stalled Chinese casino resort embodies Silk Road secrecy, risks". Reuters. 2018-06-06. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
  3. ^ "Chinese mega-resort in Cambodia raises red flags". Bangkok Post. 2019-07-20. Retrieved 2023-03-09.
  4. ^ a b c d "Cambodia–China Comprehensive Investment and Development Pilot Zone & Dara Sakor Seashore Resort". The People's Map of Global China. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
  5. ^ a b "Long Bay". Cyber Scam Monitor. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
  6. ^ Titthara, May (2019-12-17). "Cambodians struggle to be compensated for Dara Sakor megaproject". China Dialogue. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
  7. ^ a b "US Treasury Sanctions Chinese Developer For Land Seizure, Graft in Cambodia Project". Radio Free Asia. 2020-09-15. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
  8. ^ a b "Cambodian families refuse land compensation from Chinese resort developer". Radio Free Asia. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
  9. ^ Dara, Danielle Keeton-Olsen, Mech (2022-08-24). "Rescue Reveals Scam Compound at Koh Kong's UDG". VOD. Retrieved 2023-03-10.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ Boyle, Mary Ann; Jolley, David. "Meet Cambodia's cyber slaves". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
  11. ^ Poling, Gregory B.; Dunst, Charles; Hudes, Simon Tran (2022-06-14). "Pariah or Partner? Clarifying the U.S. Approach to Cambodia". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  12. ^ "Is Cambodia's Koh Kong project for Chinese tourists – or China's military?". South China Morning Post. 2019-03-05. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
  13. ^ Beech, Hannah; Dean, Adam (2019-12-22). "A Jungle Airstrip Stirs Suspicions About China's Plans for Cambodia". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
  14. ^ Taylor, Jeremy Page; Lubold, Gordon; Taylor, Rob (2019-07-22). "Deal for Naval Outpost in Cambodia Furthers China's Quest for Military Network". WSJ. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
  15. ^ "U.S. imposes sanctions on Chinese firm over Cambodia project". Reuters. 2020-09-15. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
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