The base, which has been under construction for several years, has come under intense scrutiny.
“The Cambodian naval base near Sihanoukville in the Gulf of Thailand is undergoing a dramatic transformation,” Chatham House, a leading UK-based think tank, said in a report published last week, citing satellite imagery.
The Chinese-funded project would extend Beijing’s military reach into disputed waters in Southeast Asia, Chatham House argued. “The latest satellite imagery obtained in June shows a range of Chinese-funded construction activity, including land clearing, reclamation, the construction of several new buildings and roads, and, crucially, the construction of a much larger pier than the base’s original one,” the report said.
Over the past 18 months, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has reportedly allocated 157 hectares for the construction of an air defence facility, a joint command centre and a naval radar facility near the base.
The base will help Beijing strengthen its power projection in Southeast Asia and even the Taiwan Strait. It will be China’s first naval facility in Southeast Asia. Interestingly, India has also been increasing its engagement with Cambodia, hosting the country’s King in May. As part of its strategic outreach, India has donated naval vessels to Vietnam and is strengthening defense cooperation with the Philippines. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recently visited Malaysia and is due to visit Indonesia later this year. On Sunday, Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Van and his son Tea Seyha, who is widely believed to be his successor in the new cabinet, visited the Chinese-funded naval base.
A series of photos posted on his Facebook page showed Vann surrounded by Cambodian military officers during his visit.
The Facebook post said the project was proceeding “as planned” but did not provide a detailed timeline, adding that it would “elevate the Navy’s capabilities to a higher level in the future.”
In November 2022, the U.S. Department of Defense’s China Military Power Report stated that China was “likely to be considering Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, and other locations” as locations for the People’s Liberation Army’s military logistics facilities.