In a big mdevelopment, a US warship docked in Cambodia on Monday, marking the first American military port visit to the country in eight years. This port call occurred just 30 kilometers from a naval base that China has been renovating, fueling growing concerns over regional security dynamics.
The visit comes after US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s trip to Cambodia in June, which aimed to strengthen ties with one of China’s closest regional allies. This visit is seen as an attempt by Washington to reset its relationship with Cambodia, which has been largely influenced by China’s significant investments in the country.
On Wednesday, Cambodia’s Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn and Bridgette Walker from the US embassy emphasized the importance of this visit in “reinvigorating” military ties between the two nations. The Cambodian government has described the visit as an effort to “strengthen and expand friendship” and “promote bilateral cooperation,” as stated by the country’s defense ministry.
The historical significance of this visit is underscored by the ongoing tensions over the Ream naval base, located just outside the coastal city of Sihanoukville. The base has been under renovation by China since 2022, a project funded by Beijing. Originally partly built with US support, the base is viewed by Washington as a potential strategic asset for China, especially considering its proximity to the disputed waters of the South China Sea.
Despite these concerns, Cambodian leaders have repeatedly denied that the Ream base is intended for use by any foreign military power. In December 2023, Chinese warships were the first to dock at the newly renovated pier at the base, followed by another visit in May during large-scale joint military exercises between China and Cambodia, known as the “Golden Dragon” drills. This year, the exercises featured the debut of advanced Chinese military technology, including machine gun-equipped “robodogs.”
With China’s growing influence in Cambodia, this visit by the US warship signals a shift in regional military dynamics, as the US looks to counterbalance Beijing’s growing presence in Southeast Asia.
Notably, the United States, along with several other nations, has voiced growing concerns over China's potential establishment of a naval base at Ream, a strategic location in Cambodia. This base would provide China with enhanced access to the Malacca Strait, a vital shipping corridor that connects the South China Sea to the Indian Ocean. The Malacca Strait is a crucial global trade route, with nearly a quarter of the world's shipping traffic passing through it. As such, China's increased presence in the region could shift the balance of power, raising alarms about the security of international shipping and the broader geopolitical implications.