A Cambodian naval base being built with the help of China will include a portion for the exclusive use of the Chinese military, according to a report in the Washington Post.
The Chinese and Cambodian governments have previously denied reports that Cambodia would allow a Chinese military presence at Ream Naval Base in the Gulf of Thailand.
This presence would mark a major expansion of China’s military access to the Indo-Pacific, where it currently has only one naval base, in the East African country of Djibouti.
Citing unnamed Western and Chinese officials, the Post reported on Tuesday that the base will house the Chinese military in its northern section. A Western official told the newspaper that expansion plans completed in 2020 called for the Chinese military to have “exclusive use of the northern part of the base, while its presence would remain hidden.”
The Post said a Beijing official confirmed that the Chinese military would use a “part” of the base, but denied that it was for exclusive use. The official said the area would also be used by scientists and that China did not participate in any activity in the Cambodian part of the base.
Sam Roggeveen, director of the Lowy Institute’s international security program, said the new information, and in particular the apparent confirmation of a Beijing official, “strengthens the case that this is really happening.”
“It’s pretty early, so we don’t know what the capacity of the facility will be,” Roggeveen said. “Its practical value [to Beijing] is that it would make it easier for China to deploy its warships and coastguards around the region, and simply have a little more presence, where it would first have to navigate very long distances.
“It’s a kind of microcosm really the biggest trend in the region, which is that strategic and military power is shifting from the US and to China. China will want to become the leading strategic power in Asia, “He may even want to become the dominant power in Asia. This cannot be done without expelling the United States and having foreign bases in the area.”
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who visited Indonesia on Tuesday, said he was concerned about the reports and called on the Chinese government to be open about its intentions.
“We are in regular contact with the Cambodian government and we are constantly assured that no foreign military will have exclusive access to Ream,” Albanese told reporters in Makassar. “We have long been aware of Beijing’s activity in Ream. We encourage Beijing to be transparent about its intention and ensure that its activities support regional security and stability.”
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen shows indelible ink on his finger after voting in the local elections this weekend. Photo: Tang Chhin Sothy / AFP / Getty Images
For some years, the United States has alleged that China intends to have a military presence at the base. In 2019, the Wall Street Journal reported a secret agreement between Phnom Penh and Beijing, in which Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen agreed to give access to the base in China.
Hun, who has faced questions of more than $ 1 billion in infrastructure loans and trade agreements with China, including through the Belt and Road initiative, denied the report at the time.
“This is the worst news ever invented against Cambodia,” he told the pro-government Fresh News at the time. “This could not happen because hosting foreign military bases goes against the Cambodian constitution.”
U.S. diplomats have repeatedly expressed concern with Cambodia over the Chinese military presence at the base. It is known that China has participated in the works. In June 2016, the state-run China Metallurgical Group Corporation announced that it had signed a framework cooperation agreement with the Cambodian defense department for a “port expansion project” for an unnamed naval military base.
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In October 2020, a senior Cambodian naval official told Nikkei Asia that China was supporting a project to expand the port and develop a ship repair facility. In June 2021, Cambodian Defense Minister Tea Banh confirmed to local media that China was helping with the construction of Ream, but arrived “without any commitment.”
“We want to develop a suitable place … Cambodia alone cannot do that. It’s also moderately expensive, but I don’t know how much, “he said, according to Voice of America.
An inaugural ceremony at the Ream base is scheduled for Thursday, the Washington Post reported, with the assistance of Chinese officials, including the ambassador to Cambodia.
Cambodian government departments did not respond to requests for comment. Chinese officials were expected to address the media on Tuesday afternoon at a regular press conference.