Cambodian PM Orders US Weapons To Be Collected And Destroyed After Washington Imposed An Arms Embargo Over Human Rights And Ties With China

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen gestures during a news conference at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh on Sept 21. (AFP File Photo) 

AFP: Cambodian PM orders US weapons destroyed after arms embargo 

Cambodian leader Hun Sen ordered the country's military to destroy any US weaponry or dump it in warehouses on Friday, after Washington imposed an arms embargo over human rights concerns and Phnom Penh's close ties with China. 

The US on Wednesday imposed an arms embargo on Cambodia, citing concerns about human rights and corruption in the southeast Asian nation as well as China's activities there. 

The actions taken by the US State and Commerce departments aimed to restrict access to "defense articles and defense services" by Cambodia's military and intelligence agencies, according to a statement. But Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen downplayed the quality of US weapons and equipment on Friday. 

"I order all army units to immediately review arms and military items that Cambodia currently has. (We) must recall all US arms and military items if there are any -- put them in warehouses or destroy them accordingly," he said in a Facebook post.  

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Update #1: PM hits back on US embargo: Immediately destroy or store all US weapons in Cambodia (Khmer Times)  

Update #2: Cambodian PM Hun Sen orders armed forces not to use US made military equipment as spat between two countries escalates (The Star) 

More News On The US Imposing An Arms Embargo On Cambodia Over Human Rights And Ties With China  

U.S. orders arms embargo on Cambodia, cites Chinese influence -- AP  

US tightens curbs as Cambodia moves closer into China’s embrace -- Al Jazeera  

U.S. Hits Cambodia With Arms Embargo Over China Connections -- Bloomberg  

Cambodia placed under US arms embargo over China ties -- Radio Free Asia

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.

Cambodia Tells The U.S. Navy To Leave, And The Reason Why Is China

A Chinese navy ship is seen docked after an exercise with Cambodian naval officers in Preah Sihanouk province, Cambodia February 26, 2016. REUTERS/Samrang Pring

Reuters: U.S. navy aid unit told to leave Cambodia

A U.S. Navy aid unit has been told to leave Cambodia, the U.S. embassy said, in a new sign of the Southeast Asian country loosening links with Washington as it strengthens ties with Beijing.

The departure of the U.S. Navy Mobile Construction Battalion - known as the Seabees - meant the cancellation of 20 planned projects, including at schools and hospitals, the embassy said on its Facebook page on Monday.

"Last week, the Royal Government of Cambodia notified the Embassy of its decision to postpone indefinitely the Seabees program," the embassy said. "We are sad to see the Seabees go, but proud of their accomplishments over the last nine years."

Cambodian defence ministry spokesman Chhum Socheat said he was unaware of such a decision.

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More News On Cambodia Telling The U.S. Navy To Leave

Cambodia scraps US military aid deal in latest snub to Washington -- Financial Times
Cambodia kicks out Navy Seabees with no explanation -- Stars and Stripes
US Navy Kicked Out Of Cambodia, And All Signs Point To China -- Daily Caller
Why Did Cambodia Just Downgrade US Military Ties Again? -- The Diplomat