The Chinese military base expansion in Cambodia has drawn increasing attention and concern from international observers, particularly the United States. Satellite images of Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base have revealed two Chinese Type A56 corvettes docked at a newly constructed Chinese-built pier, fueling speculation about China’s growing military presence beyond its shores. This development highlights China’s expanding military reach, particularly in the Southeast Asian region, where it has already fortified three disputed islands in the South China Sea.
Satellite Evidence of Chinese Military Activity
For most of 2024, satellite imagery has shown the presence of two grey warships at Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base, which is located on the southern tip of the country. The ships, 1,500-tonne Type A56 corvettes, have been docked alongside a new pier capable of accommodating even larger vessels. These corvettes and the onshore facilities, also built by China, are widely believed to be used by the Chinese navy, raising alarms in Washington.
The Chinese military base expansion in Cambodia comes amidst growing concerns about China’s strategic ambitions. While Cambodia has consistently denied any permanent Chinese military presence, many international experts remain skeptical. According to Seun Sam, a policy analyst at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, “This is a Cambodian base, not a Chinese base,” emphasizing the country’s constitutional ban on permanent foreign military installations. He added that Cambodia, being a small nation with limited military capacity, relies on external training and support, particularly from China.
Shifting Alliances and Rising Tensions
Until 2017, the U.S. had been a significant contributor to upgrading Ream Naval Base, providing military assistance and conducting joint exercises with Cambodia. However, after Cambodia’s main opposition party was dissolved and its leaders were imprisoned, U.S.-Cambodian relations deteriorated. Cambodia shifted its allegiance towards China, canceling joint military drills with the U.S. and replacing them with the “Golden Dragon” exercises held with China.
By 2020, China had begun funding a significant expansion of the Ream Naval Base, including the construction of the new pier, which is strikingly similar to the pier at China’s only other overseas military base in Djibouti. The pier, which measures 363 meters, can accommodate large vessels like China’s aircraft carriers, indicating potential future use for major Chinese military deployments. The two corvettes, or their replacements, have remained at Ream for most of the year, raising questions about the true purpose of this Chinese military base expansion in Cambodia.
International Concerns Over China’s Military Ambitions
China’s growing military footprint in Cambodia has not gone unnoticed by the United States and other regional powers. U.S. officials have voiced concerns about the implications of the Chinese military base expansion in Cambodia for regional security and the balance of power in Southeast Asia. Satellite images show the construction of new facilities, including a dry dock, warehouses, administrative offices, and living quarters, sparking fears that China is establishing a permanent presence despite Cambodia’s constitutional restrictions.
In 2019, reports emerged that Cambodia had secretly leased 77 hectares of the base to China for 30 years, which would include stationing military personnel and equipment. Cambodia’s government dismissed the reports as false, but skepticism remains high. Notably, when Japanese destroyers visited Cambodia in February 2024, they were told to dock at a port in Sihanoukville, rather than at Ream, where Chinese ships exclusively docked.
Regional Implications of Chinese Presence in Cambodia
The Chinese military base expansion in Cambodia has raised concerns among neighboring countries, particularly Thailand and Vietnam. A Chinese naval presence at Ream, located at the mouth of the Gulf of Thailand, is seen as a potential threat to Vietnam, which disputes China’s claims in the South China Sea. Vietnam has previously clashed with China over these territorial disputes, and a Chinese base in Cambodia could be viewed as an attempt to encircle Vietnam’s long coastline.
Thailand also views the expansion with unease, especially given its unresolved territorial disputes with Cambodia. A Chinese military presence just south of the Thai navy’s main port in Sattahip could complicate Thailand’s security posture in the Gulf of Thailand. However, both Thailand and Vietnam have remained diplomatically cautious, likely to avoid jeopardizing their economic ties with China.
Strategic Value of the Ream Base for China
Despite the concerns raised, many analysts question the long-term value of the Chinese military base expansion in Cambodia. Unlike China’s fortified bases on Mischief, Fiery Cross, and Subi Reefs in the South China Sea, the Ream base does not significantly enhance China’s power projection capabilities. According to Greg Poling, director of the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, “The Ream base does not get the Chinese navy any closer to places it wants to go.” Instead, the base may serve intelligence purposes, such as satellite tracking and long-range target monitoring.
Conclusion
The Chinese military base expansion in Cambodia continues to raise geopolitical tensions in Southeast Asia, with many nations wary of China’s growing influence in the region. While Cambodia maintains that Ream is not a permanent Chinese base, the evidence of Chinese-built infrastructure and the presence of Chinese warships tells a different story. As China seeks to expand its global military presence, the Ream Naval Base could become a key strategic asset in its broader ambitions, further complicating the already delicate balance of power in the region.
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