Red service-intellectual: Phouk Chhay, Maoist China, and the Cultural Revolution in Cambodia, 1964–67

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    Abstract

    This article examines the phenomenon of Cambodian intellectual curiosity about China through the social experiences of Phouk Chhay, a prominent leftist activist-critic and Pol Pot's one-time secretary. Amid Phnom Penh's urban radical culture, Phouk transformed from rural student to Communist guerrilla. He associated with Communists, formed pro-China student associations, and through his networks, went on trips that left lasting impressions. This study draws from issues of the Cambodian-Chinese newspaper Mianhua ribao (Sino-Khmer Daily) and several forced confessions to tell a story of becoming that examines community and network in charting the course of ‘China-curiosity’ as intertwined with Phouk's life trajectory.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)275 - 308
    JournalJournal of Southeast Asian Studies
    Volume52
    Issue number2
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2021

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