SIHANOUKVILLE (Cambodia): A US warship docked in Cambodia on Monday, just kilometres away from a Chinese-renovated naval base, in the first American military port call to one of Beijing’s closest regional allies in eight years.
Washington’s relationship with Phnom Penh has been deteriorating for years, with China pouring billions of dollars into infrastructure investment under Cambodia’s former leader Hun Sen.
AFP reporters saw Cambodian navy personnel welcoming the USS Savannah’s arrival to the southern port city of Sihanoukville on Monday.
The US ship’s commanding officer Daniel A. Sledz said “it is great to be back, returning US presence here after eight years”, adding that his crew were “very pleased” to be hosted by Cambodia.
Cambodia’s defence ministry said on Friday that the five-day visit aims to “strengthen and expand friendship” and “promote bilateral cooperation”.
Since 2022, China has been funding the renovation of the Ream naval base, some 30 kilometres (20 miles) from Sihanoukville, which was originally built partly using US funds.
Washington has said the Ream base could give Beijing a key strategic position in the Gulf of Thailand near the disputed South China Sea, which China claims almost in its entirety.
Cambodian leaders have repeatedly denied that the base is for use by any foreign power.
Chinese warships first docked at the 363-metre (1,190-foot) pier in December last year. Two berthed at Sihanoukville port in May as part of Beijing’s biggest joint military drills with Cambodia. – AFP
