Despite an influx of investment on tourism and gambling in the once idyllic Cambodian tourist spot, a ranking Cambodian military officer has promised to protect Sihanoukville from turning into the next Macau.

Royal Cambodian Armed Forces Chief of Joint Staff Hun Manet made the vow amid the rising tensions between Cambodian business owners and the large number of new Chinese investors entering Sihanoukville.

Residents lamented that the increased Chinese investment in the area had triggered the rise of land prices in Sihanoukville andcreated a closed economic loop that shut out Cambodian businesses and workers.

The Khmer Times reported that Manet urged local officials to focus on preserving Sihanoukville’s image as a tourist destination rather than turning it into another playground for Chinese gamblers.