China’s Cambodian navy base project makes US wary, but fears it will host aircraft carrier are unfounded, analysts say

Satellite images show upgrades at Ream Naval Base in Cambodia nearly finished, and observers say facilities might be used for PLA logistics supply

Washington wants more transparency regarding port, while Beijing maintains it is aimed at strengthening the Southeast Asian country’s capabilities

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A Chinese-built pier at a Cambodian naval base may be used for the Type 901 replenishment ship (centre), according to military experts. Photo: Handout

Published: 6:28pm, 27 Jul 2023Updated: 7:03pm, 27 Jul 2023

The PLA might be able to use a Chinese-built pier project in Cambodia for logistics but the facility could not be used for bigger military missions such as berthing an aircraft carrier, according to observers.

Satellite images from US company BlackSky Technology showed construction work was nearly finished on the pier at the Ream Naval Base in Cambodia on the Gulf of Thailand.

On Monday, BlackSky released 10 images showing the progress on the pier, which has been built with Chinese funding and labour, over the past several years. The company has been monitoring the development of the pier since October 2019 and found that construction has proceeded rapidly since August 2021.

The port has drawn scrutiny from Washington. US President Joe Biden raised concerns about the port with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen in November, stressing the importance of full transparency, according to the White House.

An unidentified US official told The Washington Post last June that the Cambodian base could become part of Beijing’s strategy to build a network of military facilities to support its aspirations of becoming a global power.

Satellite images released on Monday by BlackSky Technology show a large pier has been built at the base at Ream, Cambodia on the Gulf of Thailand. Photo: AFP / BlackSky Technology

Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said the project, officially announced by the two countries in June of last year, was aimed at strengthening the Cambodian navy’s capability and was in line with the laws of both countries.

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