China transfers warships and pier to Cambodian Navy raising strategic concerns.

According to information published by RFA on August 27, 2024, China is poised to transfer two warships and a deep-draft pier to the Cambodian navy at the Ream naval base, raising questions about Beijing's strategic intentions in the Gulf of Thailand.
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Three Chinese PLA Navy's warships at the joint exercise Golden Dragon-2024. (Picture source: Chinese TV)

This transfer, expected to occur by the end of September, includes extensive facilities developed with Chinese funding on Cambodia's coast. Approximately 100 Chinese naval personnel have been observed working intensively at the Ream base in Sihanoukville province, preparing for the handover of the new facilities, which include a pier capable of accommodating large vessels, such as aircraft carriers.

The section of the base where these activities are occurring has been restricted to Chinese personnel, although it is expected to soon come under Cambodian control.

Analysts suggest this development may be part of a broader agreement granting China privileged access to the Ream base. Such access would enable the Chinese navy to deploy ships at the base, potentially enhancing Beijing's strategic footprint in the region without violating Cambodia’s constitutional prohibitions against hosting foreign military bases.

Since December, Chinese military personnel have been training Cambodian navy members to operate these vessels, suggesting an ongoing collaboration between the two navies. However, the presence of Chinese warships at Ream has raised alarms among some analysts and regional actors, who view this as a potential step towards establishing a semi-permanent Chinese naval presence in the Gulf of Thailand.

The rapid development of the Ream base, including the construction of a dry dock, wharf, and several large buildings, underscores the scale of the expansion.

China-Cambodia relation

A key component of this relationship is the annual "Golden Dragon" military exercise, which has become increasingly sophisticated and larger in scale. In 2024, the exercise involved over 1,300 Cambodian troops and more than 700 Chinese personnel, along with several naval vessels from both countries. This exercise, the largest to date, included complex drills such as a mock hostage rescue operation on the high seas.

The evolving Cambodia-China naval cooperation reflects broader geopolitical dynamics, where Cambodia is increasingly seen aligning with China amid a decline in military cooperation with the United States. This shift became evident when Cambodia canceled its joint military exercises with the U.S. in 2017, further distancing itself from Western influence and leaning more towards Beijing.