Opinion | Chinese navy ships are first to dock at Cambodian new naval base: What are its implications?
By Augustus K. Yeung
The news report that said Chinese naval vessels were the first ships to dock at Sihanoukville naval base was not a surprise. As integration with the ASEAN countries is a set goal that Beijing has in mind, using a Cambodian naval base to safeguard the Asia-Pacific region is part of the natural answer.
Cambodia's relations with China have been consistently good and stable for decades, dating back to the Cold War era when the United States was targeting Vietnam militarily, causing instability in the area. And Prince Sihanouk was for years China's permanent guest under the personal attention of the late Premier Zhou Enlai. Thus, it would not be an exaggeration to say that Cambodia is historically China's most reliable ally in Asia.
In addition, strategic partnerships necessitate that China upgrades the governance of fellow ASEAN countries, securing them against outside threats and preparing them for the Asian era have yet to come.
Seen from America's perspective, China's economic-based expansion into the Asia-Pacific region is a "threat". But, from the world vision, America as a hegemony has long lost the mandate of heaven. And with a man like Donald J. Trump as its former president, the decline of the United States has been made more obvious.
Chinese naval vessels have become the first ships to dock at Cambodian naval base that the United States and some international security analysts say, "is destined to serve as a strategic outpost for Beijing's navy."
The docking of the two ships, which received little publicity, coincided with an official visit to Cambodia this week by China's top defense official, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission He Weidong.
News of a least two Chinese ships docking at the Ream Naval Base on the Gulf of Thailand came out indirectly, through a Facebook post on Sunday by Cambodian Defense Minister Tea Seiha.
He also posted photos showing Cambodian officials with Chinese Ambassador Wang Wentian and reviewing Chinese sailors.
Satellite photos taken Sunday by Planet Labs PBC analyzed by The Associated Press show what appear to be two Chinese warships docked at the base. They correspond to the images shared online by Tea Seiha.
The AP analysis, comparing the ship's measurements and the images released by the minister, suggest they may both be Type 56 Chinese corvettes.
Controversy over Ream Naval Base initially arose in 2019 when The Wall Street Journal reported that an early draft of a reputed agreement seen by U.S. officials would allow China 30-year use of the base, where it would be able to post military personnel, store weapons and berth warships.
Cambodia's then-Prime Minister Hun Sen denied there was such an agreement. He pointed out that Cambodia's constitution does not allow foreign military bases to be established on its soil but said visiting ships from all nations are welcome.
The base is situated on the Gulf of Thailand – adjacent to the South China Sea, where China has asserted its claim to virtually the entire strategic waterway. The U.S. has flatly refused to recognize China's sweeping claim – and routinely conducts military maneuvers there to reinforce that they are international waters.
For the U.S., a Chinese base in Cambodia could become "a chokepoint" in the Gulf of Thailand – close to the strategically important Malacca Strait.
Basing rights in Cambodia would extend Beijing's strategic military profile considerably – and tilt the regional balance of power in a way that would pressure adjacent Southeast Asian countries whose security concerns traditionally have been aligned more closely with the United States.
Washington has repeatedly made known its serious concerns about the base's intended use. When China and Cambodia broke ground on its naval port expansion project in June last year – the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh reiterated Washington's position that a Chinese "military presence at Ream could threaten Cambodia's autonomy and undermine regional security."
Realistically, China is Cambodia's biggest investor and closest political partner. Cambodia generally supports Beijing's geopolitical positions – on issues such as its territorial claims in the South China Sea.
Note: Prime Minister Hun Manet, who succeeded his father Hun Sen in the leadership position earlier this year, said in a post Monday on the Telegram messaging platform that he and China's visiting official He discussed the continuation of military cooperation through agreements between their respective defense ministries on human resource training and demining operations.
Hun Manet pointedly recalled how, when he was serving as Cambodia's army commander, he took the initiative to strengthen cooperation between the two countries' armed forces, collaborating on a memorandum of understanding that led to improving unit-to-unit relationships and training exchanges that enhanced the ability of the Cambodian army.
Hun Manet's first official trip abroad after becoming prime minister was to Beijing – reflecting his country's warm relations with China. (Source: MDT/AP)
Conclusively, it is a blessing for Asia-Pacific that the transition of power from Hun Sen to Hun Manet was smooth, ensuring political stability in Cambodia.
In the Korean War, however, long after the truce was called, North Korea and South Korea are still in a state of war. The civilians in the North are suffering because of U.S' merciless blanket sanctions. And the people there are left materially unattended – same as the other countries where the United States military has had cruelly baptized them with fire and fury.
As an emerging world power and its second largest economy, China must be militarily strong enough and be well-prepared to shoulder the responsibility of stabilizing the region, seeing to it that at least Asia is first in good hands.
The way to the era of Asia needs a road map. China would not be wise if it does not initially integrate with ASEAN, then reach consensus with Japan and South Korea to work concertedly for peace in Pan Asia.
In this context, China renting a naval base in Cambodia is only the beginning, or the starting point.
To contact the writer, please direct email: AugustusKYeung@ymail.com
Read more articles by Augustus K. Yeung:
Comment