Beijing in Shock: Cambodia Abandons the CCP, Cai Qi Turns His Back on Xi Jinping

[samlot chit]

Beijing in Shock: Cambodia Abandons the CCP, Cai Qi Turns His Back on Xi Jinping

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bf-9TJPWJ-0

October 31 unfolded with a rare sight: two diplomatic stages lit up across Asia — but they told entirely different stories. In Gyeongju, South Korea, at the APEC CEO Summit — a gathering of the region’s political and economic elite — Chinese President Xi Jinping did not appear in person. Instead, he sent a written speech. On the surface, everything looked polished: measured language, a confident tone, the image of a leader “in control.” Meanwhile, at another coordinate in Asia, U.S. Defense Secretary Hegseth was on the move. His schedule traced a straight line of tightening links: Cambodia — restart joint military drills; Thailand — expand defense industrial cooperation; the Philippines — strengthen alliance ties; India — sign a 10-year defense framework covering intelligence, technology, and force capacity.