China has opened a “joint logistics and training center” in Cambodia, which is its second publicly acknowledged overseas base, to sustain its military power in the contested South China Sea.
The United States has previously expressed serious concerns over China‘s involvement in construction at Ream naval base, warning this could endanger Cambodia‘s sovereignty.
Newsweek has contacted the U.S. State Department for further comment via its website.
Why It Matters
China has described its relations with Cambodia as “rock-solid and unbreakable.” Both nations agreed to enhance their military cooperation in areas such as capacity building, military training, logistics, and equipment, according to a joint statement released in 2023.
Ream naval base is located in Cambodia’s southwestern province of Sihanoukville on the coast of the Gulf of Thailand, making it an outpost in the South China Sea, where Beijing has territorial disputes with a number of countries in the region, such as the Philippines.
In its assessment report on Chinese military power, the Pentagon said China is seeking to establish a more robust overseas logistics and basing infrastructure, which aims to enable the People’s Liberation Army to “project and sustain military power at greater distances.”
What To Know
The Chinese Defense Ministry said in a statement that the center, located at Ream naval base and established by the Chinese and the Cambodian militaries, officially commenced operations on Saturday. It will be jointly maintained by personnel from both countries.
“The center is designed to support the two militaries in conducting regional counter-terrorism, disaster prevention and mitigation, humanitarian assistance, joint training, and other operations,” the statement continued, adding that it is not aimed at any third party.
Kyodo via AP Images
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet stressed that the Ream Naval Base remains fully under Cambodian sovereignty and control at an inauguration ceremony.
“I solemnly declare that the Royal Government of Cambodia…will never allow any foreign military base to be established in Cambodia—neither in the past, the present, nor the future,” the prime minister said.
The naval base, which was closed in 2022 for re-fitting, is now open to warships of less than 20,000-tonnes from all “friendly countries,” Hun Manet said. “We have nothing to hide. This is our stance to maintain friendship with all parties.“
“This effectively rules out aircraft carriers, certain large [amphibious warships], and fleet auxiliaries,” Collin Koh, a senior fellow at Singapore’s Institute of Defense and Strategic Studies, wrote on X (formerly Twitter). China’s aircraft carriers are all over 60,000 tonnes.
China and Cambodia on Saturday also launched a joint drill, code-named Golden Dragon 2025, the Chinese military reported. Warships from the two nations engaged in formation tactics, operation of maritime communication equipment, and other forms of training.
Kyodo via AP Images
In 2017, China inaugurated its first publicly acknowledged overseas military installation in Djibouti, augmenting its escort missions in the Gulf of Aden and off the coast of Somalia. The facility is officially known as the People’s Liberation Army Support Base in Djibouti.
What People Are Saying
The Chinese Defense Ministry said in a statement on Saturday: “The construction and operation of the center reflect mutual respect and equal consultation between China and Cambodia. The initiative fully complies with the domestic laws of the two countries, relevant international laws, and international practices.”
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said at a ceremony on Saturday: “No one can defend Cambodia’s sovereignty better than Cambodia herself. Modernizing the armed forces and building the capacity to protect against all forms of warfare and crime is essential.”
The Pentagon’s Chinese military power report assessed on December 18, 2024: “A global [People’s Liberation Army] military logistics network could disrupt U.S. military operations as the [People’s Republic of China]’s global military objectives evolve.”
What Happens Next
It remains to be seen whether China will station any warships at the Cambodian base on a rotational or permanent basis to enhance its military presence in the South China Sea.
