China's New Naval Base In Cambodia Is Bigger Than What Was Expected

The base has grown considerably over the last 18 months, with a pier large enough for aircraft carriers already in place. The new dry dock is being built on reclaimed land. Chinese involvement is indisputable, but Cambodia denies that it is for the Chinese Navy (PLAN). 

Naval News: Chinese Navy’s Suspected New Overseas Base in Cambodia Now Even Larger 

There have been persistent reports of China attempting to expand the global reach of its Navy with a network of overseas bases. Ream in Cambodia has long been on that list. New evidence shows that a large dry dock is now under construction there. As the war in Ukraine shows, these facilities are strategically important. 

 China’s new naval base at Ream in Cambodia is well documented. It will provide the Chinese Navy (PLAN) with a base at the southern end of the highly contested South China Sea. The base is still east of the Malacca Straight which separates the South China Sea from the Indian Ocean, yet is still strategically important. And a key part of China’s construction of overseas bases. 

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WNU Editor: This naval base is near completion .... Chinese base in Cambodia nears completion in challenge to US naval power (Financial Times).

Work Begins On China-Funded Upgrade Of Cambodia's Biggest Naval Base

Photo: The website of the Chinese Embassy in the Kingdom of Cambodia  

Reuters: China hails "iron-clad" Cambodia ties as work begins on naval base 

PHNOM PENH (Reuters) - A Chinese official said on Wednesday an "iron-clad partnership" with Cambodia was bolstered by military cooperation, as work began on a China-funded upgrade of Cambodia's biggest naval base that has raised U.S. concern about China's growing influence. 

Cambodian Minister of Defence Tea Banh dismissed fears that Cambodia would let China build a military base on its soil, saying any country could use the facilities at the Ream naval base, while Cambodia was open to accepting military assistance from anyone.  

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WNU Editor: No kidding .... China ‘seeking network’ of military bases (SKY News). 

Work Begins On China-Funded Upgrade Of Cambodia's Biggest Naval Base  

China-aided renovation kicks off in Cambodia's Ream Naval Base, Ambassador slams Western speculation -- Global Times  

China, Cambodia break ground on port, dismiss US concerns -- FOX News/AP  

Cambodia breaks ground on China-funded Ream Naval Base expansion -- Nikkei Asia  

China, Cambodia begin revamping naval base amid reports of secret deal -- UPI

Western Officials Are Saying That China Is Secretly Building A PLA Naval Facility In Cambodia

A map locating Ream Naval Base in Cambodia © The Washington Post  

Washington Post: China secretly building PLA naval facility in Cambodia, Western officials say 

China is secretly building a naval facility in Cambodia for the exclusive use of its military, with both countries denying that is the case and taking extraordinary measures to conceal the operation, Western officials said. 

The military presence will be on the northern portion of Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base on the Gulf of Thailand, which is slated to be the site of a groundbreaking ceremony this week, according to the officials, who, like others, spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the matter’s sensitivity. 

The establishment of a Chinese naval base in Cambodia — only its second such overseas outpost and its first in the strategically significant Indo-Pacific region — is part of Beijing’s strategy to build a network of military facilities around the world in support of its aspirations to become a true global power, the officials said.  

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WNU Editor: Reports that China was building a naval base in Cambodia started circulating last year .... Will China's Next Foreign Naval Base Be In Cambodia? (October 15, 2021). 

Both China and Cambodia are denying these reports that this Cambodian facility will be a Chinese naval base.

Will China's Next Foreign Naval Base Be In Cambodia?

The US says Cambodia “has not been fully transparent” about the Chinese project at the Ream Naval Base in Sihanoukville. Photo: Reuters  

SCMP: US raises concerns over Chinese construction at Cambodian naval base 

The US has raised concerns over Chinese construction activities at Cambodia's biggest naval base after a Washington think tank released satellite images showing what it said were new structures. 

Three new buildings went up and a new road was being built at the Ream Naval Base in Sihanoukville province during August and September, the Centre for Strategic and International Studies said on Tuesday, citing satellite images from commercial sources. 

The report by the think tank's Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative also said other areas at the base had been cleared, potentially for more construction. 

It said the purpose of the construction was unclear and there were "concerns that the new facilities are being built to facilitate a Chinese military presence in Cambodia".  

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Update #1: Satellite photos show more construction at military base where US has 'serious concerns' about China's presence -- Business Insider  

Update #2: Satellite Images Reportedly Show Chinese Construction at Naval Base in Cambodia Amid US Anger -- Sputnik  

WNU Editor: The U.S. is concerned .... U.S. calls Cambodia opaque over Chinese activity at navy base (Reuters), but Cambodia is saying that there is nothing to be concerned about .... Gov’t debunks US claim about Ream Naval Base (Khmer Times). 

As to what is my take. 

China has always had close ties with Cambodia. But with Chinese naval bases only a few hundred kilometers away, I doubt that this Cambodian naval base will serve as a major base for China. I see this naval base upgrade more as a further cementing of existing diplomatic and defense ties between the two countries.

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

Is Cambodia About To Permit Chinese Military Assets At One Of Their Naval Bases?

Photo: A Cambodian spokesman said changes to the Ream Naval Base would not include hosting Chinese forces. (Reuters: Tyrone Siu)

ABC News Online: US official suggests Cambodia may host Chinese military assets at naval base

A senior Pentagon official has suggested Cambodia may be planning to host Chinese military assets at one of its naval bases after it suddenly rejected a US offer to fund repairs at the port.

Washington is concerned about the Chinese military presence in South-East Asia, particularly Beijing's increasing influence over contested territorial claims in the South China Sea.

In January, the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for South and South-East Asia, Joseph Felter, visited Ream Naval Base and offered funding to repair a training facility and boat depot there. He said the offer was in response to a request by Cambodia.

The base is operated by the Royal Cambodian Navy on the coast of the Gulf of Thailand in the province of Sihanoukville, which has become home to a Chinese-led casino boom and the development of a special economic zone.

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Update #1: ‘Real Concern’ Cambodia May Host Chinese Military Assets, Despite Defense Minister’s Downplay: US (Radio Free Asia)
Update #2: U.S. presses Cambodia over possible Chinese military presence (Euronews/Reuters)

WNU Editor: Cambodia and China have always been very tight. And this is causing some trade friction .... U.S. urges Cambodia to probe China-owned economic zone on tariff dodging (Reuters).