China, Cambodia Break Ground on Controversial Navy Base Renovation Project

Cambodia's Defence Minister Tea Banh and China's Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wentian take part in a groundbreaking ceremony at the Ream naval base in Preah Sihanouk province on June 8, 2022. Pann Bony / AFP

Cambodian and Chinese officials dismissed international concerns about a new Chinese-financed upgrade of a navy base in the southern Preah Sihanouk province during a groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday.

Defense Minister Tea Banh and China’s ambassador Wang Wentian both refuted reports published earlier this week by The Washington Post that China is secretly building out a facility at the Ream Naval Base exclusively for the use of the PLA Navy (PLAN).

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by Eric Olander

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