Ream Naval Base Inauguration: Officially inaugurated on April 5, 2025, by Cambodian PM Hun Manet after Chinese-funded renovations.
Cambodia Denies Exclusive Chinese Use: Hun Manet asserts “nothing to hide,” welcomes joint exercises with all nations, denying the base is exclusively for China.
Chinese Involvement: China provided substantial financial and technical support for the base’s expansion. A Chinese military official, Cao Qingfeng, highlighted the “iron-clad friendship” and future joint military exercises, including Golden Dragon drills.
Strategic Concerns: The base’s location near the Malacca Strait raises concerns about China’s strategic foothold in the Indo-Pacific, potentially encircling India and increasing its naval presence in the South China Sea.
U.S. Concerns: The U.S. fears the base could provide China with a key strategic position in the Gulf of Thailand and South China Sea.
Geopolitical Reactions: Military representatives from various nations attended the inauguration. Hun Manet confirmed that Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit Cambodia this month.
India’s Concerns: India worries about strategic encirclement and potential disruption to its naval operations in the Indo-Pacific due to a Chinese naval presence at Ream.
Increased Chinese Naval Capabilities: China’s enhanced presence at Ream could challenge India’s interests in the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean Region.
Other Naval Visits: A Japanese warship will be the first to dock at the Ream base. Prior to this, a US warship docked in Sihanoukville, followed by a visit from a senior US army commander.
