In its latest report on Tuesday, the Washington-based think tank, the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI), which is part of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, revealed satellite imagery of the ongoing development at the base.
It said twenty-eight acres of land, more than 15% of the base’s total land area, has been cleared in the centre of the military facility since July, noting that construction is also underway on the foundations for several new buildings.
“Chinese-funded construction continues to transform Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base at a rapid pace, with major land clearing, a new pier, and several new structures completed in the last three months,” the report said.
The US embassy in Phnom Penh has repeatedly urged the government to be fully transparent about the project at the base as the Minister of Defence General Tea Banh has said the modernisation of the naval facility with the support from Beijing will “move forward”.
In August, US Embassy spokesperson Stephanie Arzate repeated American concerns and said: “We encourage the Government of Cambodia to be fully transparent about the intent, nature, and scope of the project at Ream and the role the PRC military is playing in its construction, raising concerns about the intended use of this naval facility.”
Contacted yesterday, government spokesman Phay Siphan maintained the government’s position to deny that the Kingdom is giving China exclusive rights to part of the naval installation.
He reiterated that the Cambodian Constitution states clearly that the country forbids the presence of foreign military bases on its territory. He said the US’ increasing concerns are just an agenda.
“They set an agenda to choose between the US or China,” he said. “ASEAN or Cambodia does not choose the US or China. We do not choose anyone.”
In June, Cambodia and China had a ground-breaking ceremony for the naval base modernisation project which was presided over by Gen Banh and Chinese ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wentian. The project includes the construction of a dry dock, pier, and the rehabilitation of the slipway.
Upon his return from China in August, Gen Banh said that the modernisation of the base with support from Beijing will “move forward”, noting that it is “not necessary to listen to other” concerns on the Kingdom’s sovereignty.
Gen Banh said the concern over the development of the base in Preah Sihanouk province is not new, noting that it is to defend Cambodia’s sovereignty.
“It is clear that when we have the opportunity to develop it with support from other (China), then, we must do it for our sovereignty, we must be capable enough to defend our sovereignty,” he said.
Some western countries, especially the US have expressed “serious concerns” about Chinese military activities at the naval base, saying the move undermines Cambodian sovereignty, threatens regional security, and negatively impacts US-Cambodian relations.
Siphan yesterday agreed with Gen Banh that the development concerns Cambodia’s sovereignty and should not worry other countries.
“The modernisation at Ream Naval Base is a Cambodian affair. We have the right to develop it within Cambodia’s sovereignty, and this development does not affect regional and international stability and security,” he added.
