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China-Asean relations
ChinaMilitary

China, Cambodia look to upgrade military ties along with expanded naval base

  • Cambodia’s prime minister thanks PLA for support, hopes to advance military cooperation
  • Upgrades to Cambodian facility add to concerns over China’s military ambitions in South China Sea

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Cambodia’s prime minister thanked China’s defence chief for helping to upgrade its own armed forces, and hopes for further military cooperation. Photo: WEIBIO
Jack Lau

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Sunday thanked China’s People’s Liberation Army for helping to develop its own armed forces, adding that he hoped both militaries will strengthen cooperation.

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During a meeting in Phnom Penh with General Wei Fenghe, the Chinese defence minister, Hun Sen also said Cambodia hoped to maintain peace with China in the South China Sea, according to China’s official Xinhua news agency.

Earlier this month, Hun Sen met with US President Joe Biden, who repeated Washington’s concerns about the Ream Naval Base, which China has helped to expand. Biden said it was important for Chinese military activities to be fully transparent at Cambodia’s largest naval base.

02:04

China helps upgrade Cambodian naval base, as nations dismiss Western fears about Beijing’s plans

China helps upgrade Cambodian naval base, as nations dismiss Western fears about Beijing’s plans
The United States is worried that Beijing plans to use the base to expand its military influence in the contested South China Sea. The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post have separately reported – both citing unnamed officials – that Beijing intended for the Chinese military to have exclusive use of part of the base.

China and Cambodia have denied the reports, with Phnom Penh saying the Cambodian constitution does not allow for foreign bases.

“Cambodia actively pushed for the signing of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, and hopes to safeguard the peace and tranquillity of the South China Sea with China,” Hun Sen said, according to state news agency Xinhua, referring to a 2002 declaration signed between China and the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

The countries that signed the code of conduct committed to find ways to build trust and resolve territorial disputes without threatening the use of force, and to exercise self-restraint in the South China Sea. But the agreement does not spell out any methods to the resolve disputes.
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