The Ream naval base in Cambodia, developed with Chinese funding, will open in early April. General Vong Pisen announced that the first warships to dock will be Cambodian. The base is significant for China’s influence in the region, despite concerns from the U.S. and neighboring countries. Japan’s involvement in the initial docking aims to promote regional trust amidst tensions surrounding China’s military presence.

The Ream naval base, developed by China in Sihanoukville province, Cambodia, is set to open in early April following three years of construction. General Vong Pisen, commander-in-chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, indicated that Cambodian warships would be the first to dock historically at Ream after its inauguration. Until now, this newly constructed segment of the base was restricted to Chinese vessels only.

Historically, foreign naval presence in Cambodia has been limited; for instance, a U.S. Navy ship recently docked at Sihanoukville Autonomous Port, approximately 20 kilometers away, marking its first visit in eight years. Reports from Radio Free Asia suggest that two additional Chinese warships have arrived at Ream, signaling the nearing completion of construction. A Cambodia-China Logistics and Training Center’s inauguration ceremony is also anticipated soon.

Development of the Ream naval base commenced in June 2021 with Chinese funding, followed by an official groundbreaking ceremony in 2022. Observations from last August revealed significant progress, with reports of substantial Chinese personnel involved in the project. In conjunction with the base’s facilities, China is supplying Cambodia with two Type 056A missile corvettes and is facilitating training for the Cambodian navy.

During a recent meeting between General Vong Pisen and Japan’s military attaché, Takashi Hara, it was highlighted that the docking of Japanese vessels first reflects the strong cooperation and mutual trust within the Cambodia-Japan strategic partnership. Political analyst Kim Sok suggested that this diplomatic maneuver aims to mitigate concerns regarding China’s military presence, as Japan maintains a neutral stance.

The U.S. has expressed ongoing concerns about the opaque nature of the Ream base’s development, while neighboring countries fear that China could strengthen its influence over the Indo-Chinese peninsula and South China Sea through access to Ream. Although Cambodia’s constitution prohibits foreign military bases, analysts warn that China’s substantial investment in the facility may grant it preferential access, facilitating a potential on-demand operational capacity at the base.

The upcoming inauguration of Cambodia’s Ream naval base represents a significant development in Sino-Cambodian military relations, with implications for regional geopolitics. The facility’s restricted accessibility, primarily to Chinese vessels until now, raises concerns about increased Chinese influence in Southeast Asia. Furthermore, the involvement of Japan provides a nuanced diplomatic context, aiming to balance tensions in the region. Ongoing scrutiny from the U.S. and neighboring countries remains critical as developments unfold. Overall, Ream will likely play a vital role within the strategic framework of Cambodian and Chinese military cooperation.

Original Source: www.rfa.org

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