Cambodia: Two Japanese warships dock at the renovated Ream base in China

Two Japanese warships docked at a naval base in Cambodia on Saturday, a base that was renovated with the help of Beijing.

The Minesweeper Tug "Bungo" and Minesweeper "Edajima" of Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force arrived at the Ream Naval Base in southwestern Cambodia on the 19th.

According to a report by Agence France-Presse on Saturday, media access was strictly restricted during the docking of the Japanese warships.

Kyodo News said that the base completed its expansion project this month with the assistance of China.

Agence France-Presse reported that on April 2nd, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and a Chinese military delegation held a completion ceremony for the Ream base in southwestern Cambodia. At that time, Phnom Penh announced that warships from "friendly" countries including Japan would soon visit.

The Japanese Embassy in Phnom Penh expressed in a statement its "happiness" over this "historically significant event," noting that Japan's military occupation during World War II left a deep impression on some Southeast Asian countries. Tokyo welcomed the strengthening of "trust" in the region toward Japan.

Agence France-Presse said that the Ream naval infrastructure was initially funded by the United States, but since 2022, the base has been under renovation, partly funded by China.

In December 2023, some Chinese warships were anchored at the Ream base, docking beside a 363-meter-long wharf.

A year later, an American cruiser docked at Sihanoukville, not far from Ream, marking the first visit of the U.S. Navy to Cambodia in eight years.

Agence France-Presse said that in recent years, as Beijing expanded its influence through billions of dollars in infrastructure investments, relations between Phnom Penh and Washington have deteriorated.

However, in February this year, a senior U.S. official met with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet to "develop bilateral defense relations."

Cambodian officials have repeatedly assured that the Ream base will not be monopolized by any foreign power. Hun Manet denied in early April that China had exclusive docking rights at the base.

Tokyo welcomed Phnom Penh's "willingness" to make the base accessible to all nations on Saturday.

Kyodo News said that the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force ships are among the first foreign vessels to dock at the base after its expansion project was completed.

Cambodia has apparently limited foreign vessels' short-term berthing to certain areas of the base in order to dispel doubts within the international community.

Source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1829855701443651/

Disclaimer: The article solely represents the author's personal views.