Pron Bichet has worked for Cambodia’s Chinese language newspapers for over 10 years and has watched the strengthening of relations between Cambodia and China in recent years with increasing interest.
Bichet has watched as China has sent increasing numbers of tourists to Cambodia, stepped up its support for the tiny nation’s political decisions and begun investing in the construction and real estate sectors, particularly in Phnom Penh and the coastal tourist hub of Sihanoukville.
Last month, Vichet decided he couldn’t just watch: He quit his job at Commercial News, one of Phnom Penh’s three biggest Chinese-language newspapers, to start a new venture, the online-only Cambodia China Times (CC Times).
“The number of Chinese investors and tourists visiting Cambodia is growing rapidly, and with it, the demand for fast, reliable Chinese-language news,” Bichet said in an interview earlier this week. “Our dream is to make our website the largest outlet for Chinese readers in Cambodia.”
China’s rapid rise in Saudi Arabia is shaking up the country’s traditionally robust Chinese-language media scene, and Vichet is not the only one trying to take advantage of the changing situation.
It is one of the three major Chinese language newspapers in the country. Sin Chew Daily, Jianhua Daily and Commercial News Cambodia In recent years, Cambodian newspapers have had to contend with new digital competitors: Dozens of unofficial Facebook pages, blogs and WeChat accounts have sprung up providing Chinese-language news about Cambodia, challenging the newspapers’ news monopoly.
Traditional media are also joining the fray. Fresh News, a popular news site that acts as a mouthpiece for the Cambodian government and has long maintained a relatively small English-language site, only launched a Chinese-language site on Monday.
“We decided to publish it in Chinese because we realised that there are many Chinese investors in the Cambodian market who are coming to invest in our country,” said Lim Cheavta, CEO of Fresh News. post Before the launch.
But while digital disruption is affecting nearly all print media around the world, Cambodia’s Chinese-language newspapers have been shielded from some of the more costly effects.
As record numbers of Chinese flock to Cambodia in recent years, audiences and readership have soared along with an increase in competitors. According to the Association of Cambodian Chinese-Khmer (AKCC), there are now about 20,000 Chinese living in the country.
The increase in tourism and immigration is paying off, says Sok Hui, the paper’s editor-in-chief. Jianhua Daily.
“Our performance in 2017 is better than 2016 and any year before that,” Hui said, declining to disclose circulation or readership figures. “Our advertising revenue is better than in recent years, but we’re not yet profitable.”
Chinese-language media outlets, like many of Cambodia’s Khmer-language media outlets, rely on powerful local corporations to fund their operations. Jianhua Daily and Commercial News, both of which are linked to Chinese-Cambodian businessman and well-connected banking tycoon Phun Keav Se.
CommercialNews is owned by Keav Se, founder of Canadia Bank and CEO of the Overseas Cambodian Investment Corporation. Jianhua Daily The paper is funded by the AKCC, which is led by Keav Se. Another major newspaper, Sin Choo Daily, is owned by a Malaysian national.
Hui said staff have noticed that in recent years, readers have been less likely to read Jianhua Newspaper’s print edition and more likely to get their news from its website.
Employees Sin Chew DailyThe person, who spoke on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak to the media, reported seeing a similar shift from print to digital readers, and said that after the company strengthened its online business, it also began to notice increased interest from readers outside Cambodia.
“More and more Chinese people want to know information about Cambodia,” the staff member said. “Whenever there is news about Cambodian officials or Chinese people living in the country, our information is always used and rebroadcast by major Chinese media based in China.”
According to Moung Cheng Narid, director of the Cambodian Media Institute, greater interest and funding in Chinese-language media could have beneficial effects for both countries if it helps professionalize the sector.
Chan Narit noted that at a Chinese embassy press conference earlier this month, the Chinese ambassador urged Cambodia to crack down on misbehaving Chinese nationals in the country. This may have been in response to Chinese-language media reports of rising tensions between Khmer and Chinese businessmen in Sihanoukville, Chan Narit said.
“Chinese diplomats are aware of the current situation in Cambodia and the problems facing the people of our two countries, and can help find appropriate solutions in a timely manner,” he said.
Zhang Narid also noted that as China’s economy grows, so does its political influence, trustworthy Chinese-language media will be more important than ever.
Entrepreneurs like Vichette may not have to wait long to reap the benefits of China’s rise. His bet already appears to be paying off. Since its soft launch in January, Cambodia China TimesThe Facebook page has 20,000 followers and the website gets around 4,000 visitors per day – impressive numbers for a niche media outlet in a relatively small country.
And as China continues to flex its economic muscle in the region, Bichette predicted his numbers will continue to grow.
“The future of Chinese investment and tourism in Cambodia is promising,” he said. “We believe there is great potential in distributing Chinese-language news online to a growing audience.”