Japan, which is a key United States ally in the Indo-Pacific region, became the first foreign country to visit a China-funded naval base in Cambodia, located near the South China Sea, since its reopening.
Newsweek has reached out to the Chinese Defense Ministry for comment by email.
Why It Matters
Japan is a member of the Quad, which is a U.S.-led strategic alignment of four Indo-Pacific countries, in addition to Australia and India. One of the key concerns for the Quad includes China‘s territorial claims in the South China Sea, covering more than 90 percent of waters. China has been expanding its military reach and presence by building overseas installations.
What To Know
Japanese minesweeper tender JS Bungo and minesweeper JS Etajima arrived at Ream Naval Base in Cambodia’s southwestern province of Sihanoukville on the coast of the Gulf of Thailand on Saturday. The base was reopened earlier this month after the inauguration of a joint logistics and training center, which was built by the Chinese and the Cambodian militaries.
Cambodia Naval Base via AP
It was not clear when the Japanese naval vessels would depart. The deployment of the ships “contributes to the realization of [a] free and open Indo-Pacific as well as the peace and stability in the region and in the international community,” the Japanese Embassy in Cambodia said.
During the opening ceremony of the joint logistics and training center, which is now run by the Chinese and the Cambodian personnel, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said that the base welcomes naval ships of less than 20,000 tons from all “friendly countries.”
According to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, the Bungo has a displacement of 5,700 tons, while the smaller Etajima is 690 tons. They have been deployed under an Indo-Pacific and Middle East mission since early January and are expected to return home on May 10.
The Japanese navy’s port call follows a five-day tour of Southeast Asia by Chinese President Xi Jinping, which included a stop in Cambodia. Beijing said it is ready to sign the protocol on upgrading a free trade agreement with regional countries as they face America’s tariffs.
What People Are Saying
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force said: “Honored to be your first guest to Ream Naval Base! We have become even closer by the visit to your beautiful open port. As part of its efforts under [Free and Open Indo-Pacific], [Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force] remains delighted to sail into friends’ ports and help enhance openness thru various and collaborative interactions.”
Senior Colonel Wu Qian, spokesperson for the Chinese Defense Ministry, said: “In recent years, the military cooperation between China and Cambodia has been deepened and the two sides have had cooperation including joint training and personnel training in the Ream Naval Base.”
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said: “I want to take this opportunity to clarify clearly that Cambodia, under the leadership of the Cambodian People’s Party government, has no intention—whether in the past, present or future—of violating its own constitution by allowing any country or military to establish an exclusive base on Cambodian soil.”
What Happens Next
It remains to be seen whether other foreign navies, including the U.S. Navy, will visit Ream Naval Base. Two Chinese naval ships were seen at the base earlier this month.
Heng Sinith/AP Photo
