Amid expanding foothold in Southeast Asia, China to give 2 warships to Cambodia

At a time when China is increasing foothold in Southeast Asia with military aggression, it is set to give two warships to Cambodia to further extend its influence.

China and Cambodia have close relations and China has long used the ties to fuel its expansionist designs in Southeast Asia.

Now, Cambodia has said that China will soon hand over two warships. These are Type 056C corvettes made by China and used by the Chinese Navy.

Even as the Cambodian Navy Spokesperson Maly Socheata told AFP that the ships are intended to only help “protect and maintain peace, stability, security” and to support search and rescue operations and other humanitarian activities in the region, they are seen as part of China’s expanding footprint in the region in general and in Cambodia in particular.

The United States has long had concerns regarding the Chinese-funded renovation of Cambodia’s Ream naval base, which was originally built by the United States.

Maly said that the two ships are expected to delivered in 2025 or later.

China’s footprint in Cambodia

China-funded renovation at the Ream naval base is under the scanner as piers have been built for ships much larger than what the Cambodians have. There are reports that it can even host aircraft carriers.

This has raised concerns that China may station ships and personnel at the port to further assert dominance in Southeast Asia. China illegally and falsely claims the entire South China Sea and frequently clashes with other nations in the region. For months, it has been attacking ships of Philippines in the region. If China makes the port another outpost, the dominance in the region fuelled by rampant military aggression would just increase.

On its part, the Cambodians have denied that any foreign military would set up a base in the country.

However, previously, The Wall Street Journal has reported that the United States was aware of a draft agreement that would allow China to use the base for 30 years with the option of deploying warships, weapons, and personnel there.

Concerns have further been fuelled about the port as US and Japanese officials have not been granted access to the base.