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Reuters

Trying to rebut a report of a secret deal to give China access to a naval base, Cambodia’s defence ministry took reporters to see the torpid jetty and outbuildings on Friday.
The US has also voiced concern that the Ream naval base in southern Cambodia could host forces from China, the closest foreign ally of long-serving authoritarian Prime Minister Hun Sen.
“You journalists. Open your eyes and noses. Today we show you everything,” said defence ministry spokesman Chhum Socheat. “We cannot hide anything … because there are satellites.”
The Wall Street Journal said on Sunday that China had reached a secret deal with Cambodia this year to let it place forces at Ream. The report cited US and allied officials.
Cambodia denies ‘secret deal’ allowing Chinese forces access to naval base
Cambodia denied any such agreement and said hosting foreign forces would be against Cambodia’s constitution.
At Ream, a half-dozen grey-painted Cambodian navy patrol boats were moored by the jetty. Sailors in military fatigues stood to attention as the press bus passed. Reporters were not allowed to get off.

The defence ministry pointed out that there was no sign of a Chinese presence or of any construction.
Reporters were also taken to a building where a sign proclaimed: “This building was given by the people of the United States of America an expression of friendship and cooperation.” Inside were US-donated speed boats with guns.
The US expressed concern to Cambodia over plans for Ream after its offer to pay for renovations at the facility was turned down by the Cambodian government in June.
“This causes us to wonder if the Cambodian leadership’s plans for Ream naval base include the possible hosting of foreign military assets and personnel,” US Embassy spokeswoman Emily Zeeberg said in a statement.
Resort or China army base: why US fears huge Cambodia project
Chhum Socheat said the building in question would be handed to the Cambodian navy, not to the Chinese.
Giving China access to facilities in Cambodia would boost its ability to assert contested territorial claims in the South China Sea, challenging US allies in Southeast Asia.
The US embassy said it was also monitoring media reports about the potential use of a resort by China.

Some 70km (40 miles) northwest of Ream, a Chinese company is building a runway at the Dara Sakor resort that is capable of taking some of the world’s biggest planes to serve what for now consists of a rundown casino and a golf course.
China has poured billions of dollars of aid into Cambodia while private Chinese money has gone into real estate developments, factories and casinos.
The town of Sihanoukville, some 10km (6 miles) from Ream, has been transformed by Chinese investment and the arrival of tens of thousands of Chinese workers and visitors.
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Cambodia

Cambodia offers glimpse inside naval base at centre of China rumours

Soldiers stand guard at Ream naval base in Cambodia. Photo: EPA-EFE

Cambodian navy boats are berthed at a jetty in Ream naval base in Preah Sihanouk province during a government organized media tour on July 26, 2019. - Cambodia on July 25 rubbished reports of a deal allowing China to use a naval base as "ill-intended" and aimed at inciting unrest in a country whose public is increasingly uneasy about Beijing's growing influence. (Photo by TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP)

Sailors stand guard near petrol boats at the Cambodian Ream Naval Base in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, July 26, 2019. REUTERS/Samrang Pring

Cambodia denies ‘secret deal’ allowing Chinese forces to be stationed at naval base on Gulf of Thailand

Earlier this month, the US Defence Department suggested China may be attempting to gain a military foothold in Cambodia. Photo: Reuters

US fears China-backed resort in Cambodia could house military and ‘threaten coherence in Asean’

Cambodian soldiers stand in formation during the inauguration of the “Win Win” monument in Phnom Penh. Photo: AP

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen (C) smiles as he arrives to attend the Water Festival in Phnom Penh on November 21, 2018. (Photo by TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP)

This photo taken on August 1, 2017 shows Chinese People's Liberation Army personnel attending the opening ceremony of China's new military base in Djibouti. China has deployed troops to its first overseas naval base in Djibouti, a major step forward for the country's expansion of its military presence abroad. / AFP PHOTO / STR / China OUT

***PAY PER USE. Please re-download from vendor website.*** P2RMHR Cambodia, Siem Raep, Angkor, Bayon Temple, Chinese tourists

Chinese President Xi Jinping with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen (L). Photo: Kyodo

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Asia

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The defence ministry organised a media tour to the Ream naval base after denying reports of a deal allowing China to use the facility
Giving Beijing access to the base would boost its ability to assert contested territorial claims in the South China Sea


The defence ministry organised a media tour to the Ream naval base after denying reports of a deal allowing China to use the facility.


Defence

China’s military