Key takeaways:

• Hun Manet reaffirmed Cambodia's sovereignty over the newly renovated Ream Naval Base.
• Joint military drills involving Cambodia and China were conducted shortly after the inauguration of the base.
• The United States has expressed concerns regarding China's military presence in the region.

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet inaugurated the newly renovated Ream Naval Base on April 5, emphasizing that there was “nothing to hide” regarding the upgrades financed largely by China. The base, located on Cambodia's southern coast, has drawn significant international scrutiny, particularly from the United States, which worries it may serve as a strategic military outpost for China in the crucial Gulf of Thailand area near the contested South China Sea. The American government has flagged potential sovereignty compromises as a result of these developments, raising red flags about China's increased presence in the region.

Inaugurating the base, Hun Manet stated that it would not be exclusively for China's use, reinforcing Cambodia's openness to joint military exercises with various nations. “From today, Cambodia will welcome all friends to hold joint exercises in the Ream base. We have nothing to hide at all,” he asserted, amidst previous denials of accusations that the base would only serve Chinese naval interests, as reported by South China Morning Post.

On April 6, just a day after the inauguration, China and Cambodia conducted joint military drills at the expanded naval base, further cementing their military collaboration. These exercises were highlighted as showcasing the “iron-clad friendship” between the two nations, as stated by a senior Chinese official during the ceremony. No longer limited to naval operations, future drills are expected to incorporate land and air components, aimed at maintaining peace and stability in the region, according to sources from Channel News Asia.

China has reiterated its commitment to strengthening military cooperation with Cambodia across various domains, including training and logistics—a sentiment echoed during the base's joint logistics center opening ceremony, as reported by Newsweek. The Pentagon has warned that such moves might extend China's logistics capabilities and military operations beyond its borders.

Cambodia's longstanding alliance with China has become increasingly crucial, especially as relations with the United States have soured, making this naval base a focal point of geopolitical interest in Southeast Asia. With anticipated visits from Chinese President Xi Jinping later this month, the developments at Ream suggest growing ties that could significantly shift the balance of power in the region.

The discussions around the Ream Naval Base reflect broader concerns about military strategies in the South China Sea and the implications these have for countries involved in territorial disputes.

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