Cambodia Unveils China-Backed Ream Naval Base Amid Global Scrutiny and Strategic Shifts

Cambodia officially opened its newly renovated Ream Naval Base on Saturday, a project supported by China that has drawn international attention, especially from the United States. At a ceremony attended by military representatives from multiple countries, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet declared the base open for international cooperation, stating firmly, “We have nothing to hide.”

Located on Cambodia’s southern coast, Ream Naval Base sits along the Gulf of Thailand, not far from the highly contested South China Sea. The base’s renovation, primarily backed by China, has triggered strategic concerns in the West, particularly in Washington, which fears it could serve as a new foothold for China’s military expansion in the region.

Despite repeated U.S. concerns that the facility may become a hub for the Chinese navy, Cambodian leaders have consistently denied that the base will be reserved for any one country. Hun Manet used the inauguration ceremony to reinforce this message, emphasizing that Ream will be open to all partners for joint exercises and operations.

“From today, Cambodia will welcome all friends to hold joint exercises in the Ream base,” Hun Manet said. Chinese and Cambodian flags flew side-by-side at the event, which featured a formal military welcome for a delegation from China’s People’s Liberation Army.

Cao Qingfeng, a senior Chinese military official present at the ceremony, called the base a symbol of the “iron-clad friendship” between China and Cambodia. He noted that it would play a role in regional security cooperation, including hosting the upcoming annual Golden Dragon military drills in May.

The upgraded naval facility includes a 363-meter-long pier and improved port infrastructure capable of hosting larger military vessels. Chinese warships have already docked at the base as of late 2023, and Cambodia is expected to receive two warships from China in the near future to bolster its maritime capabilities.

A Strategic Shift in Southeast Asia

The Ream Naval Base, once partially funded by the United States, is now emblematic of Cambodia's deepening alignment with China. Over the last decade, China has poured billions into Cambodian infrastructure and development projects, solidifying its role as Phnom Penh’s most important economic and political partner.

The close relationship between the two nations dates back to the era of Hun Sen, Cambodia’s former prime minister and father of current leader Hun Manet. Under Hun Sen, Chinese influence expanded significantly, especially as Phnom Penh’s relationship with the U.S. soured due to concerns over governance, human rights, and democracy.

Western suspicion over the base isn’t new. In 2019, reports emerged about a potential secret deal that might allow China to maintain a long-term military presence at Ream. The Cambodian government rejected the claims, and no such agreement has ever been confirmed publicly.

However, the steady flow of Chinese military support, coupled with increased Chinese naval activity in the region, has not gone unnoticed by regional powers. The U.S. and Japan have recently stepped up engagement. In December, an American warship docked at nearby Sihanoukville, marking the first such visit in eight years. This was followed by a high-level visit from a senior U.S. Army commander in February. Cambodia also announced that a Japanese warship would become the first foreign vessel to dock at the Ream base following its reopening.

The Bigger Picture

Cambodia's decision to open the base to joint exercises appears to be a calculated attempt to balance rising international concerns while maintaining its deep ties with Beijing. By publicly inviting vessels from all nations, Cambodia is signaling that the base’s purpose is not exclusive, but collaborative.

Prime Minister Hun Manet also confirmed that Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to visit Cambodia this month, which is expected to further cement bilateral relations and possibly lead to new defense or economic agreements.

While Cambodia insists that its sovereignty is intact and that it has no intention of letting a foreign military dominate its territory, the optics and timing of the Ream Naval Base inauguration underscore a significant realignment in Southeast Asian geopolitics. As China expands its influence and the U.S. seeks to re-engage with nations in the region, Cambodia finds itself navigating the complex waters between strategic autonomy and great power rivalry.

For now, Cambodia presents Ream as a neutral, open-access facility—one that symbolizes both a modern military step forward and the evolving nature of alliances in the Indo-Pacific.