China's increasing geopolitical, military, economic, and social sphere of influence, both regionally and globally, imposes a challenge for Cambodia whether or not to become pro-China, pro-U.S, or remain neutral. While the U.S's foreign policy of pivot to Asia appears to establish reassurance for some allied nations, it, nevertheless, further complicates the geopolitics of Asia Pacific. Despite the claim of the so-called "Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence," China's rise is increasingly pressuring these regional countries to choose side. As an independent state and a member of ASEAN, Cambodia is struggling to define its own identity and best safeguard its national interests under the pressures of both sides, given its past history with these two powers. This paper uses qualitative methodology research with the three main assessing criteria, feasibility, acceptability, and suitability, to assess the relationship between China and Cambodia. The paper will scrutinize how China's utilization of economic instrument of national power to shape Cambodia's developmental path.

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