Is There A Secret China - Cambodia Deal To Allow Chinese Forces At A Naval Base?

Reuters: Cambodia denies deal to allow armed Chinese forces at its naval base

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - China will be able to place armed forces at a Cambodian naval base under a secret pact between the two nations, the Wall Street Journal said on Sunday, although Cambodian officials denied such a deal had been struck.

The agreement, reached this spring but not made public, gives China exclusive access to part of Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base on the Gulf of Thailand, the Journal said, citing U.S. and allied officials familiar with the matter.

Such an arrangement would boost China’s ability to assert contested territorial claims and economic interests in the South China Sea, challenging U.S. allies in Southeast Asia.

Chinese and Cambodian officials denied such a pact existed, the Journal said.

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WNU Editor: Cambodia is denying any secret deal with China, but there is a lot of information that is being leaked that makes one wonder if there is a secret deal .... China Expands Military Reach With 'Secret' Deal For Cambodia Base (Zero Hedge).

More News On Reports That There A Secret China - Cambodia Deal To Allow Chinese Forces At A Naval Base

Cambodia's Hun Sen says report of military base deal with China 'false' -- UPI
Cambodia Denies Report Of Deal With China For Use Of Naval Base -- NPR
Cambodia Denies 'Secret' Naval Base Agreement With China -- VOA
China reportedly stuck a secret deal to allow its military to access a Cambodian naval base -- Business Insider/Reuters
China reportedly signs secret deal to station troops in Cambodia -- The Guardian
Cambodia, China ink secret naval port deal: report -- Asia Times
US Fears Cambodia Resort May Become China Naval Base -- Bloomberg
Did China sign a secret defence deal to use naval outpost in Cambodia? -- IBTimes
Why a New China Naval Outpost in Cambodia Would Matter -- The Diplomat