Police Break Up Lake Protesters at Chinese Embassy

Phnom Penh municipal police armed with electric batons and shields dispersed a small group of protesters in front of the Chinese Embassy Monday morning.

A group of around 30 demonstrators had gathered in front of the embassy, on Mao Tse Tung Blvd., to protest the involvement of a Chinese company with a local developer that is forcing thousands of families from their homes near Boeung Kak lake.

No one was injured in the clash. Protesters had prepared a letter for the embassy, but embassy officials would not accept it.

In the letter, representatives from seven villages, in the district of Don Penh, representing 3,200 families, said they want $1,500 per square meter in buyouts or be given 15 hectares of land from the 133-hectare development.

The letter asks the Chinese ambassador for “intervention” in the case, due to the joint partnership between Chinese company Erdos Hongjun Investment and the Cambodian developer, Shukaku Inc.

Three separate spokesmen from the Chinese Embassy declined to comment on Monday, referring questions to each other instead.

Thouch Naroth, head of the municipal police, said Monday police had received a complaint from the embassy that required the dispersal of the protesters. “The embassy did not accept their letter,” he said.