Two Chinese warships, the Jingangshan amphibious warfare ship and Qijiguang training ship, arrived at the Sihanoukville Port in Cambodia on Sunday for joint naval exercises with the Cambodian navy. The sight of the ships docking at the commercial port drew the attention of onlookers who waved Cambodian and Chinese flags from the piers.
The port, located north of the Ream Naval Base, has been a focal point of interest due to a significant expansion project funded by China. This development has raised concerns among the United States and other nations regarding the potential for the base to serve as a strategic outpost for the Chinese navy in the Gulf of Thailand.
The Gulf of Thailand is in close proximity to the South China Sea, an area over which China asserts extensive territorial claims. Control over this region would provide China with direct access to the Malacca Strait, a crucial maritime route for global shipping.
China's ambassador to Cambodia, Wang Wentian, sought to allay fears about the intentions behind the naval activities, emphasizing that Chinese naval presence signifies cooperation and friendship rather than aggression. He highlighted the mutual security benefits that stem from military collaboration between China and Cambodia.
The upcoming naval exercises, scheduled to take place from May 24-27 at the Ream base, are part of the Golden Dragon exercises, a routine military engagement between the two countries. The participation of the Jingangshan, Qijiguang, and two Chinese corvettes underscores the ongoing military cooperation between China and Cambodia.
Controversy surrounding the Ream Naval Base emerged in 2019 following reports suggesting a potential long-term agreement granting China access to the facility. Cambodian officials, including then-Prime Minister Hun Sen, refuted these claims, citing constitutional restrictions on foreign military bases within Cambodia's borders.
During the commencement of the Golden Dragon exercises, Gen. Vong Pisen, Cambodia's army Commander in Chief, expressed gratitude to China for its support in modernizing military infrastructure and providing new equipment. He reiterated Cambodia's stance against hosting foreign military bases while affirming the country's commitment to welcoming naval visits from various nations.
