US raises concerns over Chinese construction at Cambodian naval base
- Phnom Penh spokesman denies it is a facility for China’s military after American embassy calls for transparency
- It comes after a CSIS report says satellite images show three new buildings have gone up and a road is being built
Three new buildings went up and a new road was being built at the Ream Naval Base in Sihanoukville province during August and September, the Centre for Strategic and International Studies said on Tuesday, citing satellite images from commercial sources.
On Wednesday, the US embassy in Phnom Penh accused Cambodia of lacking transparency about the project and urged the government to disclose the full extent of Beijing’s military involvement.
“The government of Cambodia has not been fully transparent about the intent, nature and scope of this project or the role of the [Chinese] military, which raises concerns about intended use of the naval facility,” embassy spokesman Chad Roedemeier said in a statement.
A Cambodian government spokesman denied China was building a facility for its military, saying the Chinese project at the naval base was part of its development assistance.
“Our port is open to all when the construction is finished,” spokesman Phay Siphan said.