Cambodian Lawmaker Says Chinese-Style Democracy Offers Alternative Model for Global South

BEIJING, March 9, 2026 (KPT) — A senior Cambodian parliamentarian has said China’s political and development model offers an alternative path for countries in the Global South, stressing that democracy should reflect national history, culture and social context rather than a single universal formula.

Suos Yara, chairman of the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Information Committee, made the remarks in Beijing during China’s annual “Two Sessions” political meetings, which bring together the country’s top legislative and advisory bodies and are closely watched for signals on policy direction.

“There is no single international standard of democracy that all countries must follow,” Yara said in an interview with Xinhua, adding that nations should design governance systems suited to their own realities.

He argued that allowing countries to pursue their own models would better reflect the needs of their populations.

Yara praised China’s modernisation strategy, highlighting three key elements: development effectiveness, policy continuity and stability, and improved livelihoods.

He said China’s ability to translate long term plans into tangible results, maintain consistent leadership, and place citizens’ welfare at the centre of policy offered lessons for other developing nations.

He noted that Cambodia and other Global South countries could draw on China’s experience, but stressed that such approaches must be adapted to local circumstances rather than adopted wholesale.

“Each country must preserve its national identity and maintain the independence of its policy choices,” he said.

Observers say the Two Sessions remain a focal point for international attention, as the world’s second largest economy outlines its future development priorities and global engagement strategies.