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BULGARIAN MILITARY
For quite some time, both Cambodia and China denied any notion of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy [PLAN] permanently deploying warships in Cambodia. However, Western observers and analysts have been proven correct, and it seems the denials were simply a smokescreen by the authorities in Beijing and Phnom Penh.
According to the Italian publication RID, the Chinese navy now officially has a naval base in Ream. Ream is situated in southern Cambodia, granting access to the Gulf of Thailand, which is part of the South China Sea. This strategic location enables the Chinese navy to quickly access the South China Sea, positioning them advantageously near US allies, particularly the Philippines and Taiwan. RID reports that the facility is now fully operational, with Cambodian authorities justifying the Chinese presence by describing it as a “base for training Cambodian sailors and testing the new wharf.”
China’s new naval base in Ream, Cambodia, bolsters its strategic positioning, especially amid potential conflicts with Taiwan and the US. Located in the Gulf of Thailand, the base provides China with a significant foothold in Southeast Asia, enhancing its power projection capabilities in the South China Sea and its surrounding regions.
The base’s proximity to vital maritime routes is another significant factor. The South China Sea is a critical corridor for global trade, with a substantial portion of the world’s shipping passing through this region. Control and influence over this area can disrupt or secure these routes, depending on China’s strategic objectives.
In the event of a conflict involving Taiwan, the Ream base could serve as a logistical and operational hub for Chinese naval forces. It would enable quicker deployment of assets and provide a staging ground for operations, thereby extending China’s reach and operational capabilities in the region.
The base also serves as a counterbalance to the US military presence in the Asia-Pacific. The United States has several bases in the region, including Japan, South Korea, and Guam. By establishing a base in Cambodia, China can better monitor and potentially counter US naval activities, enhancing its strategic deterrence.
Additionally, the Ream base strengthens China’s influence over Cambodia and, by extension, its sway in ASEAN [Association of Southeast Asian Nations]. This can lead to increased political and military leverage in regional affairs, further solidifying China’s position as a dominant power in Southeast Asia.
The story of the secret agreement between Cambodia and China to renovate the Ream Naval Base begins with Cambodia’s refusal of a U.S. offer to fund the renovation of the same base. In 2019, the United States expressed concerns about the strategic implications of Chinese involvement in Cambodian military infrastructure. The U.S. offered financial assistance to renovate the Ream Naval Base, which is strategically located in the Gulf of Thailand.
Cambodia declined the U.S. offer, citing national sovereignty and the desire to maintain control over its military facilities. Shortly after, reports surfaced about a secret agreement between Cambodia and China. This agreement allegedly allowed China to fund and carry out the renovation of the Ream Naval Base. The deal raised alarms in Washington and among regional actors, who feared it could lead to a Chinese military presence in Cambodia.
The Cambodian government initially denied the existence of any such agreement with China. However, satellite imagery and subsequent reports indicated significant construction activities at the Ream base, consistent with the type of upgrades that would support larger naval vessels. This fueled speculation that the renovations were part of a broader strategy by China to expand its influence and military reach in Southeast Asia.
The secretive nature of the agreement and the subsequent developments at the Ream base have heightened tensions between the U.S. and Cambodia. American officials have repeatedly expressed concerns that the base could be used by the Chinese military, potentially altering the balance of power in the region. The Cambodian government has continued to assert that the base will remain under Cambodian control and will not be used by foreign military forces.
This situation is part of a larger pattern of Chinese investments and influence in Cambodia, which have grown significantly over the past decade. China’s Belt and Road Initiative has seen substantial infrastructure investments in Cambodia, including roads, bridges, and ports. The Ream Naval Base agreement is viewed by many as a strategic extension of this broader economic and geopolitical relationship.
The controversy over the Ream Naval Base highlights the complex dynamics of regional security and the strategic competition between the United States and China. It underscores the challenges faced by smaller nations like Cambodia, which must navigate the interests of larger powers while attempting to maintain their own sovereignty and security.