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'Swallowed' by China: Cambodia's Ream base expansion raises alarm
Sihanoukville naval site underscores Beijing's growing military, business presence


Ream Naval Base is on the Gulf of Thailand, a strategic location given Beijing's claims in the South China Sea. (Photo by Tomoya Onishi)
TOMOYA ONISHI, Nikkei staff writerAugust 28, 2022 14:30 JST

SIHANOUKVILLE, Cambodia -- "This area's been swallowed up by China. That, too," a shopkeeper said while pointing toward Ream Naval Base in Sihanoukville in late July.

The Cambodian city, once a sleepy beach getaway, has transformed into a bustling hub for casinos and hotels in recent years as Prime Minister HE rolls out the red carpet for Chinese investment. But China's growing clout there -- in particular, Beijing's decision to fund the expansion of the Ream base -- has caused alarm both in the U.S. and among the city's locals.

A Cambodian soldier stopped this reporter's car as it approached the base. A palpable tension gripped Ream, unlike during previous trips there.

"Few residents get close to the base now," a local journalist said, describing an increase in traffic instead by Chinese individuals believed to be involved in construction at Ream. Large trucks loaded to the brim with dirt queued up near the base, though they could not be tied immediately to the expansion.

Cambodia announced the Chinese-backed expansion of Ream in early June. A satellite photo from early July analyzed by the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies showed what appeared to be a new pier at the site.


A new pier can be seen at Ream Naval Base in this satellite photo analyzed by the Center for Strategic and International Studies. © CSIS/Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative/Maxar 2022

Sihanoukville, about a four-hour drive from the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh, began experiencing an influx of Chinese business around five years ago. Chinese now can be heard all over the city, and streets are full of signs written in Chinese characters. At one restaurant, nearly every staffer and every customer appeared to be Chinese.

Ream Naval Base is on the Gulf of Thailand, near areas of China's competing maritime claims with Vietnam, the Philippines and others in the South China Sea. The Washington Post in June reported that a "portion of the base" will be used by the Chinese military, citing a Chinese official in Beijing.

The official denied the base will be used exclusively by the military, saying scientists will receive access as well. But concerns exist that the facility could serve as China's second military hub overseas. China operates a support base in the African country of Djibouti.

During an August meeting, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged full transparency from HE regarding Chinese military activity at Ream. Cambodia's official position is that its constitution bars foreign military bases in the country.


Cambodia's constitution bans foreign military bases on its soil, its government has said. (Photo by Tomoya Onishi)

China's presence in Cambodia is spreading beyond Sihanoukville. About a three-hour drive northwest from the base lies Dara Sakor International Airport, which is expected to begin commercial operations soon. The airport was developed by a Chinese company with Chinese funds. A Chinese player also will be involved in its operation.

Though the entire region surrounding Dara Sakor has a population of 100,000, the airport is home to Cambodia's longest runway, at 3,200 meters. The U.S. worries that the facility could be used as a military hub.

The growing tensions between the U.S. and China over Taiwan and the South China Sea are widely known.

"I hope we don't get dragged into an international conflict," said a taxi driver in Sihanoukville.

"This area's been swallowed up by China. That, too," a shopkeeper said while pointing toward Ream Naval Base in Sihanoukville in late July.

The base isn't in Sihanoukville, it's about 40km away. And why are they getting headlines from local shopkeepers?

John Bingham wrote: ↑Tue Aug 30, 2022 3:02 pm

"This area's been swallowed up by China. That, too," a shopkeeper said while pointing toward Ream Naval Base in Sihanoukville in late July.

The base isn't in Sihanoukville, it's about 40km away. And why are they getting headlines from local shopkeepers?

It is in Sihanoukville province. And now days it's more like 20km via the new beach roads.

Sihanoukville is a city. It's in Preah Sihanouk Province.

A Cambodian soldier stopped this reporter's car as it approached the base

That would be normal behaviour at any military base anywhere in the world especially if there is construction going on

John Bingham wrote: ↑Tue Aug 30, 2022 3:37 pm Sihanoukville is a city. It's in Preah Sihanouk Province.

How long did it take for you to know everything ever??

We studied French in school a long time ago.

John Bingham wrote: ↑Tue Aug 30, 2022 5:12 pm We studied French in school a long time ago.

" Et Voila "

Satellite images of naval base in Cambodia expose China’s lie

https://www.news.com.au/technology/inno ... 9e4e763ed8


Damning satellite photos show an unusual jagged road being cut into a hillside in an area China insisted it wouldn’t meddle in.

China insisted it wasn’t building a naval base in Cambodia … until its ambassador attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony. It insists it won’t arm its overseas facilities … right up until the missiles start flying?

Center for a New American Security (CNAS) analyst Thomas Shugart believes he has spotted evidence Beijing is building fortifications at its not-so-secret facility in the heart of Southeast Asia.

Recent satellite photos show an unusual jagged road being cut into the hillside between its exclusive compound alongside Cambodia’s Ream naval base and the town behind it.

And while on one level it appears simply to be a mass of earthen roadworks, it also bears a striking resemblance to a style of fortification seen amid Chinese outposts elsewhere.

“Something about those cutout areas tickled the back of my brain,” Mr Shugart said.

“Then I remembered where I’d seen something that looked similar: the HQ-9 SAM launchers that defend the PLA Navy’s Yalong naval base (Hainan Island).”

Disappointing article. Doesn't seem like there is anything new to report here ?

I'm waiting for a story about the Chinese compounds situated in little frequented inland areas of Cambodia, which look like army barracks and have some of the best roads in Cambodia, (and the widest - not saying that this is the case, but you could drive tanks down them.) The roads, which lead off secondary public roads, are obviously private property and are closed off with barriers and guards. Chinese writing on the signposts gives another clue.
Could be just slave labour plantations, but the infrastructure looks expensive for a rubber farm or similar. IMO these brand spanking new compounds in the middle of nowhere are more sinister than the construction of a few new sheds in "Ream Naval Base".