 "‘Nothing to hide’: Cambodia opens naval base renovated by China amid US concerns")
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on Saturday inaugurated a renovated naval base, saying the country has “nothing to hide” amid concerns from the United States over China’s role in the upgrades.
The Ream Naval Base, located on Cambodia’s southern coast, has been refurbished with help from China. The US has warned the base could give Beijing a strategic advantage near the disputed South China Sea.
US officials have raised concerns that the base might be used exclusively by China’s navy. However, Cambodian leaders have repeatedly denied this, saying the base is open to all countries.
During the opening ceremony, attended by military officials from various nations, Hun Manet welcomed a delegation from China’s People’s Liberation Army and said the base is open for joint drills with any partner.
“From today, Cambodia will welcome all friends to hold joint exercises at Ream. We have nothing to hide,” he said.
Chinese military official Cao Qingfeng, also present at the event, called the base a symbol of the “iron-clad friendship” between China and Cambodia. He said it would boost regional security and host joint drills, including the Golden Dragon exercises in May.
Cambodia has long been a close ally of China. Under former Prime Minister Hun Sen — Hun Manet’s father — China invested billions in Cambodian infrastructure, while ties with the US weakened.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsHun Manet also confirmed that Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to visit Cambodia later this month.
China has been helping upgrade the Ream base since 2022. The base was originally built with partial US funding. Western concerns about the site go back to 2019, when reports claimed China had a secret deal to use it.
In 2023, Chinese warships began docking at the base. Cambodia is also set to receive two Chinese warships to boost its defence.
Despite tensions, the US has made recent efforts to re-engage. In December, a US warship docked in nearby Sihanoukville — the first such visit in eight years — followed by a visit from a senior US army official in February.
Last month, Cambodia announced that a Japanese warship would be the first to dock at the renovated Ream base.
With inputs from AFP.
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
