What does Cambodia say about Chinese warships present at a base in the southern East Sea?

Khmer Times reported today, May 9, that Cambodian Defense Ministry spokesman Chhum Sucheat said that two Chinese naval warships are present at Ream Naval Base to prepare for the joint exercise "Golden Dragon 2024" on May 16.

Cambodian Defense Ministry spokesman Chhum Sucheat speaks at a press conference.

Khmer Times Screenshot

Mr Sucheat also said: "A foreign media outlet recently exaggerated the presence of two Chinese naval vessels docking at Ream Naval Base, accusing the Chinese military of using the facility as a "military base" and claiming that it is China's second largest military base (outside China) in the world."

Sucheat stressed that the upgrade of Ream Naval Base has contributed to the modernization of the Cambodian navy and that the two countries are strategic partners in all fields. He also said that China is checking the quality of the upgraded Ream Naval Base because China has supported the construction of a number of new facilities at the base, and Cambodia is also planning to purchase warships similar to those that dock at the base.

"Ream Naval Base is not a Chinese military base as some foreign media have reported," Mr. Sucheat stressed.

Chinese warships reappeared at Cambodian naval base

Sucheat made the statement after the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS, USA) published an analysis on April 18, pointing out that two Chinese naval frigates were still "seen docking at the new pier of Ream Naval Base since they first docked on December 3, 2023. The pier was only empty for two short periods from January 15-18 and March 29-30."

The Ream Naval Base, located in Cambodia’s Preah Sihanouk province, is considered strategically important due to its proximity to the Gulf of Thailand and the southern part of the South China Sea. The development of the base will provide the Cambodian Navy with improved infrastructure and resources to ensure maritime security and contribute to regional stability, according to the Khmer Times .

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/campuchia-noi-gi-ve-tau-chien-trung-quoc-hien-dien-tai-can-cu-phia-nam-bien-dong-185240509105751192.htm