China’s naval base handover in Cambodia: a sign of waning US influence?

When the Ream Naval Base’s revamp is completed, analysts say China could get preferential access and increase its regional presence

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Cambodian soldiers at Ream Naval Base in 2019. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 8:00am, 11 Dec 2024Updated: 8:06am, 11 Dec 2024

China’s handover of a naval base in Cambodia to Phnom Penh early next year following a revamp is symbolic of the “slow erosion” of US geopolitical dominance in Southeast Asia, according to analysts.

The timeline for the Ream Naval Base’s redevelopment was confirmed by Abdul Rahman Yaacob, a research fellow at the Lowy Institute’s Southeast Asia programme, who shared the details with This Week in Asia after speaking to Cambodian officials.

The base in Sihanoukville province was originally scheduled to have been handed over in September this year, according to a report by Radio Free Asia in August.

When the works on Ream are completed, analysts say China is likely to use its facilities for exercises and resupply as well as to deploy patrol frigates and smaller ships nearby.

Beijing is expected to hand over a deep-draft pier that could accommodate aircraft carriers and other base facilities along with two Chinese Type 056C warships to Cambodia, Radio Free Asia reported.

Rahman said the handing over of the base next year would take place as scheduled “if there are no major construction issues”.