China’s Belt and Road Initiative marked its 10th anniversary this month, prompting a lot of discussion about what’s next for Beijing’s controversial development agenda. While BRI spending in Africa and the Americas has plummeted in recent years that is not the case closer to home in Southeast Asia.

Cambodia, in particular, stands apart from other countries in terms of its growing dependence on Chinese economic engagement — both from government-backed BRI projects and private investors who have transformed major cities like Sihanoukville (not always for the better).