China Seeks Military Access in Southeast Asia, New Pentagon Report Says

A U.S. Pentagon report says China is seeking overseas military access, citing Cambodia, key sea routes, and political influence efforts.
A U.S. Pentagon report says China is seeking overseas military access, citing Cambodia, key sea routes, and political influence efforts. (Photo by Pedro Pardo / AFP)

China “seeks to establish sites as part of a global logistics and basing network” that would allow the People’s Liberation Army, China’s military, to “project and sustain military power at greater distances,” according to a new U.S. Pentagon report to Congress, published last Tuesday.

China’s push for overseas access is moving from theory to practice, with Cambodia offering the clearest case so far. Cambodia’s prime minister and a PLA delegation inaugurated a Joint Logistics and Training Center at Ream Naval Base in April 2025, the report says.

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by Edwin Shri Bimo

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