Cambodia widens access to China-funded Ream naval base to parry ‘lingering suspicion’

Recent visits by ships from Vietnam, Russia and Japan at Ream are aimed at deflecting views of China’s ‘preferential access’, analysts say

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A Japanese minesweeper vessel prepares to dock at the Ream naval base in Cambodia last month. Photo: Kyodo

Published: 3:12pm, 2 May 2025Updated: 11:55am, 6 May 2025

Cambodia’s move to expand access to its Ream naval base to more countries can help deflect criticisms that the Southeast Asian country is hosting a Chinese military facility, even as analysts have warned of “lingering suspicion” about Beijing’s intention.

On April 27, a Vietnamese navy warship docked at the Chinese-funded Ream, according to reports from Cambodian media.

The 37 crew members of the Russian-built vessel reportedly took part in a meeting to discuss a joint patrol alongside the Cambodian navy from April 27 to April 29.

The Vietnamese warship’s arrival came on the heels of the arrival of two Japanese naval vessels at Ream following the inauguration of the upgraded naval base last month.

China is said to have financed the upgrading since 2022, including a 300-metre deepwater pier, a 5,000-ton dry dock, a 1,000-ton slipway, and a facility for logistics and training.

Timothy Heath, a senior international defence researcher at the US-based Rand Corporation, said Cambodia’s decision to welcome other navies could help counter the criticism that Cambodia was hosting a Chinese military base.