Cambodia Opens Naval Base Renovated by China : A New Era of Regional Naval Power?
- International Affairs
Shreya Naskar- 0
- 5 minutes read
On April 5, 2025, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet presided over the inauguration ceremony of the newly expanded Ream Naval Base, located strategically near Sihanoukville on Cambodia’s southern coast. This milestone marks a significant transformation of the country’s maritime infrastructure and is widely seen as emblematic of Cambodia’s growing defence aspirations. However, the project’s deep-rooted collaboration with China has provoked critical scrutiny from regional and global stakeholders, especially the United States, amidst ongoing concerns over Beijing’s increasing geopolitical footprint in Southeast Asia.
The expansion of Ream Naval Base, while ostensibly a step towards modernizing Cambodia’s naval capabilities, has become emblematic of broader power dynamics reshaping the Indo-Pacific. The involvement of China—financially, technically, and potentially militarily—has elevated the base’s strategic importance far beyond national borders. Ream Naval Base sits on the coast of the Gulf of Thailand, granting it a highly strategic maritime vantage point. Located near the entrance to the South China Sea—a region entangled in overlapping territorial claims involving China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei—the base occupies a geopolitically sensitive nexus. The South China Sea is not only rich in hydrocarbon reserves and marine biodiversity but is also one of the world’s busiest commercial sea lanes, accounting for approximately one-third of global maritime trade. Cambodia’s decision to expand Ream Naval Base, with significant assistance from China, positions the facility within the broader security architecture of the Indo-Pacific. Although Cambodia maintains that the base will remain under sovereign control, the infrastructural upgrades and long-standing political alignment with China have sparked speculation about the base’s potential role in China’s maritime strategy. Given its location, Ream Naval Base offers a valuable logistical waypoint for naval operations, surveillance, maritime domain awareness, and rapid deployment of assets. These capabilities are especially relevant in a region where maritime security, freedom of navigation, and great power competition continue to intersect.
Despite Cambodia’s assurances, the United States has voiced explicit concerns about the expansion. Washington’s apprehensions centre on the extent and opacity of China’s involvement in the project. There is fear that Ream Naval Base could eventually serve as a forward operating location for the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), thus giving Beijing its first military foothold in mainland Southeast Asia. U.S. officials have raised alarms about the potential for a dual-use facility—ostensibly under Cambodian control but secretly accommodating Chinese military operations. Cambodia, however, has repeatedly rejected such assertions. Prime Minister Hun Manet has reaffirmed the country’s constitutional mandate that prohibits the establishment of foreign military bases on Cambodian soil. According to Cambodian leadership, the Ream Naval Base remains under full sovereign command and is open to naval visits from all friendly nations without discrimination. This position has been conveyed as a reflection of Cambodia’s commitment to neutrality, regional peace, and multilateral diplomacy.
Amid growing scrutiny, Cambodia has embarked on a diplomatic campaign to dispel fears of one-sided military alignment. Cambodian officials have highlighted the openness of the Ream facility to multiple foreign navies as a testament to its non-exclusive nature. For instance, Japan—a key player in regional security and a strategic U.S. ally—has been invited to make port calls at Ream. A Japanese warship is expected to be among the first non-Chinese vessels to visit the upgraded base.
This initiative is part of Cambodia’s broader effort to balance its relations. While Chinese assistance is invaluable in terms of resources and technical expertise, Phnom Penh remains aware of the risks associated with overdependence on a single partner. As such, it seeks to position itself as a neutral actor—leveraging foreign investment without surrendering strategic autonomy. Furthermore, Cambodia has participated in multilateral security forums such as the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) and has expressed willingness to engage in cooperative regional maritime initiatives, including coordinated patrols and capacity-building programs.
The inauguration of the expanded Ream Naval Base in April 2025 represents a watershed moment in Cambodia’s defence and diplomatic posture. Though framed domestically as a modernization effort aimed at strengthening national sovereignty and maritime readiness, the base has taken on broader regional and global implications due to China’s prominent role in its development.With its strategic location on the Gulf of Thailand and proximity to the South China Sea, Ream Naval Base has become a focal point in Southeast Asia’s evolving security environment. The infrastructural upgrades—from the extended pier and dry dock to command centres and joint training facilities—are indicative of Cambodia’s ambitions to become a more capable and connected naval actor.
Nevertheless, the geopolitical ramifications cannot be understated. U.S. concerns over Chinese military access, regional fears of strategic encirclement, and Cambodia’s effort to maintain diplomatic equilibrium all underscore the complexity of this development.As Cambodia asserts its sovereign right to develop military infrastructure, the international community will continue to scrutinize the operational use and strategic alignment of the Ream Naval Base. The path forward for Cambodia lies in maintaining transparency, promoting inclusivity in naval engagement, and reinforcing a rules-based maritime order that ensures peace, stability, and cooperation in the region. In this context, the Ream Naval Base will not only serve as a national asset but as a litmus test for how small states can navigate great power competition with agency, dignity, and strategic foresight.
