Cambodia, China and the Dara Sakor Problem

phuketrichard · Post by **phuketrichard** » Thu Oct 22, 2020 12:59 pm

good read;
China gaining access to an airfield in Cambodia, or anywhere else in mainland Southeast Asia, would redraw the strategic landscape of the region.

News of Cambodia’s recent demolition of a U.S.-built facility at the Ream Naval Base has once again raised suspicions that the country’s government is preparing to hand the base over to China, for use by the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).

Were that to actually happen, such a facility would augment the PLAN’s burgeoning expeditionary capability, which has recently expanded elsewhere. But with the flare-up in interest around Ream, it would be wise to revisit the more overlooked question of Dara Sakor – a possible alternative project that would arguably be a more important potential asset for China’s military. After considering the two in tandem, Dara Sakor illustrates just how significant China’s push for a military footprint in mainland Southeast Asia would be for the region.

https://thediplomat.com/2020/10/cambodi ... r-problem/

John Bingham · Post by **John Bingham** » Thu Oct 22, 2020 1:04 pm

How many threads are you going to start on this bogus story?

CEOCambodiaNews · Post by **CEOCambodiaNews** » Thu Oct 22, 2020 1:04 pm

post452914.html?hilit=dara%20sakor#p452914

whatwat · Post by **whatwat** » Thu Oct 22, 2020 2:07 pm

More hearsay, conjecture and misinformation.

Khmer_Risotto · Post by **Khmer_Risotto** » Thu Oct 22, 2020 2:32 pm

John Bingham wrote: ↑Thu Oct 22, 2020 1:04 pm How many threads are you going to start on this bogus story?

Is it bogus?

My general thought is China needs a military presence in the Gulf of Thailand so if the South China Sea becomes hostile they have another route around Singapore.

Where in SEA is that presence going to be other than KOW?

They are building ports and rail here, as well as in Laos.

Maybe someone here can explain why that doesn't make sense.

John Bingham · Post by **John Bingham** » Thu Oct 22, 2020 2:48 pm

There's no proof other than a few satellite images showing a tiny jetty in a shallow bay and an unfinished runway.

Khmer_Risotto · Post by **Khmer_Risotto** » Thu Oct 22, 2020 3:07 pm

John Bingham wrote: ↑Thu Oct 22, 2020 2:48 pm There's no proof other than a few satellite images showing a tiny jetty in a shallow bay and an unfinished runway.

In terms of the "unfinished runway," that will be finished soon enough, then what? Still nothing?

They are building a deep water port south of Kampot. They did the same thing in Pakistan, and then a few years later a suspected military facility popped up there. If/when the Chinese navy begins to port there they would want to have marines stationed to at least provide security.

It's not just Dara Sakor.

phuketrichard · Post by **phuketrichard** » Thu Oct 22, 2020 3:16 pm

John although u might be right, why so much being written about it??
wheres theres smoke, theres fire

Sebastian's new book, "in the dragons shadow" talks about China willing to finance the construction of the Kra canal across the narrow part of Thailand down south, which along with their intention on constructing roads/ railroads thru Burma to the Sea takes on a new reason

China wants access to the South, be it for military purposes or trade...

whatwat · Post by **whatwat** » Thu Oct 22, 2020 3:23 pm

Khmer_Risotto wrote: ↑Thu Oct 22, 2020 3:07 pm
John Bingham wrote: ↑Thu Oct 22, 2020 2:48 pm There's no proof other than a few satellite images showing a tiny jetty in a shallow bay and an unfinished runway.
In terms of the "unfinished runway," that will be finished soon enough, then what? Still nothing?

They are building a deep water port south of Kampot. They did the same thing in Pakistan, and then a few years later a suspected military facility popped up there. If/when the Chinese navy begins to port there they would want to have marines stationed to at least provide security.

It's not just Dara Sakor.

Its deep but not deep enough for military ships.

John Bingham · Post by **John Bingham** » Thu Oct 22, 2020 3:37 pm

Khmer_Risotto wrote: ↑Thu Oct 22, 2020 3:07 pm
They are building a deep water port south of Kampot. They did the same thing in Pakistan, and then a few years later a suspected military facility popped up there.

Again there is no evidence that it is anything other than a port for goods. The US has many bases in Pakistan but the country's relations have soured recently, similar to the US and Cambodia's.

https://thediplomat.com/2019/11/no-paki ... -just-yet/

phuketrichard wrote:John although u might be right, why so much being written about it??

It seems to be the same story being recycled endlessly. It could be suspicion on the US part after relations have decayed.

China willing to finance the construction of the Kra canal across the narrow part of Thailand down south

This would be good for many countries who would no longer have to use the much longer trade route, good for all except Singapore.

Anyway, I'm not naive enough to think China's actions are all done for altruism, and they need to be checked, but so far they have only one overseas base, in Djibouti. They have used this to combat piracy in the gulf and as a base for UN peacekeeping operations.

Cambodia, China and the Dara Sakor Problem

Cambodia, China and the Dara Sakor Problem

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Re: Cambodia, China and the Dara Sakor Problem

Re: Cambodia, China and the Dara Sakor Problem

Re: Cambodia, China and the Dara Sakor Problem

Re: Cambodia, China and the Dara Sakor Problem

Re: Cambodia, China and the Dara Sakor Problem

Re: Cambodia, China and the Dara Sakor Problem

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