Khmer–Chinese Friendship Association

The Khmer–Chinese Friendship Association (Khmer: សមាគមមិត្តភាពខ្មែរ-ចិន; French: Association d'amitié khmero-chinoise, AAKC) was an organization in Cambodia, seeking to promote ties between Cambodia and China.

Leng Ngeth was the president of the association.[1] Phouk Chhay was the general secretary of AAKC. Hu Nim served as its vice president.[2][3] Other leading members of the association included Hou Yuon and Tiv Ol.[1][4] Khieu Samphan was a member of the press and periodicals sub-committee of AAKC.[5] The association had a sister association based in Peking, the China–Khmer Friendship Association.[6]

The association was founded in September 1964. At the time Cambodia and the People's Republic of China enjoyed good bilateral relations. Different political tendencies were represented in the association.[1] As the Chinese Cultural Revolution progressed, the AAKC became increasingly vocally Maoist.[1]

Prince Sihanouk banned the association on September 1, 1967 (all other national friendship associations in Cambodia were also banned).[1][7] Several key functionaries of AAKC were arrested, including Phouk Chhay. He was released after the 1970 coup d'état. A new Cambodia–China friendship organization was founded immediately after the disbanding of AAKC, the National Committee for Khmer–Chinese Friendship. The new organization lacked any left-wing leaders.[1] The China–Khmer Friendship Association protested against the prohibition of AAKC in Cambodia.[6]

The group that had been active in the AAKC continued to exist as a pro-Chinese faction inside the Communist Party of Kampuchea. The pro-Chinese faction was mainly influential in the south-western region until 1975, when they were subdued by the Pol Pot group. The pro-Chinese faction was purged in 1977, and its main leaders were executed.[4]