HONG KONG: China intent on spreading its influence around the world, and not far from its borders, has found a willing partner cambodiaauthoritarian Prime Minister Hun Sen.
As well as a regular stream of weapons and military equipment into the kingdom from China’s vaults, there is growing concern over a possible Chinese military presence at Cambodia’s naval base in Reim.
Indeed, recent satellite imagery has disappointing indications that the site is designated HQ-9. being prepared for surface to air missile (SAM) battery. Such a possibility was first raised by Tom Shugart, Adjunct Senior Fellow of the Defense Program at the Center for a New American Security.
Shugart noted that a road along the eastern edge of Ream Naval Base now has several paved pads or expanses cut by forest, which is evident in a satellite image from June 2022.
The academic noted that the design of the road with several 10–12 m deep labyrinths resembled an installation that the PLA had built for defence. Yalong Naval Base Feather Hainan Island Around in 2016. That area now houses a HQ-9 SAM battery with missile launcher vehicles and radar.
It should be noted that China has deployed HQ-9 SAMs to its military installations on Woody Island in Paracels and three other reefs in the Spratly Islands (Fiery Cross Reef, Subi Reef and Mischief Reef) in the South China Sea.
Returning to the Ream Naval Base, the new road is adjacent to a parcel of land cleared in 2019 with its specific extension, the purpose of which is still unknown. The road is in an area allegedly reserved for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) within the complex. The road was constructed at the same time as other buildings in the suspected “Chinese” area.
In light of satellite imagery evidence, Shugart said: “So, is China actually building a SAM launcher placement on a foreign base located in a country that claimed no such base was under construction, and which continues to claim that it will never allow a foreign army. Base on its soil? Maybe it’s too early to tell in my opinion, but…maybe?” US officials were given an invitation to Riem Naval Base by Cambodia’s Defense Minister T Ban in June 2021, although they were not allowed full access to the site.
A year ago, Cambodia demolished a US-funded building – the strategic headquarters of the National Committee for Maritime Security – on the base, after it was inaugurated in 2012. Phnom Penh claimed the facility was being relocated to a roomier site about 35 km away. On the island of Koh Prib near Sihanoukville. Cambodia also removed a rigid-hull inflatable boat ramp and boat maintenance facility building built by the United States for Cambodia in 2017. In this way, Cambodia has removed all evidence of US support at the base.
There have been several claims and media reports that said China was planning to establish its presence at the Reem Naval Base, but the facility was kept secret. At least it was until news of a ground-breaking ceremony surfaced on 8 June 2022, where it was revealed that China was funding a major upgrade of the base. Chai Ban has repeatedly denied allegations that Chinese military personnel would be stationed at the base. He said the country’s constitution forbids foreign military bases on its sovereign territory. “We need to upgrade our base to defend our country, territory and sovereignty,” he declared.
The area allocated for the Chinese renovation is about 300m2, and the project should take about two years to complete. The minister said: “We want dry dock, wharf and slipway rehabilitation, because now, medium ships cannot anchor in Ream. We have to swim in the sea, and we have no means to repair ships.”
Meanwhile, Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wentian said at a ground-breaking event that the upgrade “was not targeted at any third party, and would also be conducive to practical cooperation between the two armies”. “As a strong pillar of the iron-clad partnership, China-Cambodia military cooperation is in the fundamental interests of our two countries and the two peoples,” Wang said. The upgrade will include a command center; Multi-use facility including meeting, reception, storage, entertainment, dining and sports venues; a hospital and medical facility; Workshop; dry dock; slipway; And piers for light/medium ships. China will also carry out dredging to deepen the shipping lanes leading up to the base, and help the Royal Cambodian Navy with the repair and maintenance of ships. China will also provide 36,900 uniforms for naval personnel.
Chai Ban assured at the ceremony: “Please don’t be too worried about this Reem base. This port is too small and even after upgrading, it cannot be a port that threatens any country.” The largest vessel capable of reaching the renovated naval base will be of 5,000 tonnes. However, this is much higher than the 1,000-tonne vessel limit at present. In November 2021, the United States sanctioned two Cambodian defense officials over allegations of corruption in relation to construction financing in Reim.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian dismissed US allegations that China was attempting to establish a military presence in Reim. He described these as a “typical bullying act” by the United States. “The US has ignored the situation in Cambodia, repeatedly making malicious speculation, attacking and smearing Cambodia, and even threatening and pressuring Cambodia.”
On 12 May this year Cambodia released a defense white paper. Interestingly, the document mentioned the controversial naval base: “Reem Naval Base modernization is essential for the sovereign rights of Cambodia to serve its interests and the security of the territory. The purpose of this modernization is to effectively expand Cambodia’s maritime domain.” This modernization poses no threat to any particular nation in the region, while Cambodia does not allow any foreign military bases on its sovereign territory.”
Therefore, there has been a persistent and vehement denial from both Cambodia and China. Whether both the countries are telling the truth or not, only time will tell. The PLA’s presence in Cambodia will extend the reach of the Chinese military further south through its many island reef installations built in the South China Sea. Reem Naval Base is located at the top end of the Gulf of Thailand, so a presence there could enhance China’s ability to conduct surveillance and intelligence gathering in the Gulf, and perhaps even in the eastern part of the Indian Ocean. It is suspected that China may set up a ground station for its BeiDou satellite navigation system there as well.
A Chinese facility in Reim would also be of great concern to Vietnam, as it would create a three-front situation for Vietnam. Vietnam will have to deal with threats from the South China Sea and Cambodia on its northern border from China. China already has a major influence on the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, and it is certainly the most prolific supplier of equipment. For example, photos appeared online in the past week of a large shipment of vehicles in Cambodia. There has been no previous record of orders being logged, so it is unclear why so many vehicles – notably the BJ80 4×4 light utility vehicle, the Hongqi H9 luxury sedan and another type of Chinese-made sedan – were handed over to the Cambodian military. Why is it being delivered? , Such vehicles, especially luxury sedans, seem unsuitable for a money-strapped army. So some commentators might speculate that China is supplying such vehicles to buy favors, loyalty, or to reward the Cambodian military. This recent vehicle shipment isn’t everything. Video and photo imagery emerged of a Chinese-made military kit unloading from a cargo ship in Sihanoukville on May 25
Port in Cambodia. Notably, the equipment included the SH1 155mm truck-mounted howitzer, and the AR2 300mm and Type 90B 122mm multiple rocket launchers destined for the Royal Cambodian Army.
All three weapons are manufactured by Chinese state-owned Norinco. Other vehicles with artillery systems such as ammunition transport trucks and the Xiaolong JL3 (FJ2040) were 4×4 tactical vehicles. At least five of the latter probably serve as communications or meteorological vehicles. The new weapon systems were sent to the Artillery Headquarters in Kampong Spu Province.
UK-based defense publisher Shepherd Media estimated that the Royal Cambodian Army purchased two batteries of Type 90B rocket launchers (supported by 12 BeiBen 2629 rocket resupply trucks and two BeiBen Battery command post trucks); a battery of six AR2 rocket launchers (two Wanshan WS2500 rocket transport trucks with cranes, two WS2400 rocket reloading and resupply trucks, and one BeiBen battery with command post); and two batteries of SH1 6×6 howitzers (six guns each, plus a BeiBen command post vehicle and other supporting auxiliary vehicles). These are Cambodia’s first self-propelled howitzers, and Hun Sen said at the time that the cost of the new equipment was USD40 million. If true, this would represent a ridiculously cheap price, given that only one American-made HIMARS (equivalent to the Chinese AR2) costs USD5.5 million. This suggests that China is selling its satellite equipment at “partner rates”. Cambodia originally received 30 artillery pieces and accessories for the price of seven HIMARS!
Another example showing that China is Cambodia’s main source of military equipment, delivery of 290 military trucks in June 2020, was ordered in mid-2019. Photos showed that many of these were Hongyan Genlian C100 trucks (based on an Iveco design) with a mix of 4×4 and 6×6 variants.
A year ago, China extended a USD 84 million loan to Cambodia to buy military equipment. Ti Ban explained at the time: “We have an important agreement – China will give 600 million yuan to the Cambodian army, which we will use to increase military capacity. We will continue our cooperation, which is unbreakable. We reaffirmed the continuity of the existing We continue to strengthen cooperation as we operate.” Cambodia is trying to try and eat its cake. It wants Chinese financial and diplomatic support, but it wants to avoid regional turmoil and upset its own residents with reports of a Chinese military base.
However, finger-twisting and public tongue licking by the United States is not going to solve anything or improve relations with Cambodia. The fact is that US leverage over most of Southeast Asia is limited when it comes to direct competition with China. Indeed, 23.4% of Cambodia’s trade is with China, and just 15.5% with the United States.
Cambodia’s relations with the United States are not the only strains. The European Union canceled a trade deal with Cambodia – known as Everything But Arms – on 12 August 2020 due to human rights concerns.
China is already making moves to fill the gap anyway. For example, in the coastal province of Sihanoukville, China has funded the construction of more than 100 casinos as well as dozens of hotels and resorts. Also of concern is a mysterious “tourism” development in Koh Kong province that includes an unusually large airport and a deep-water port.
Beijing is the undisputed number one investor in this poor Southeast Asian country. Other areas of Chinese investment include railways, solar power and telecommunications.
The PLA’s only other major foreign military base is in Djibouti in the Horn of Africa, and it is feared that Cambodia could become second and the Solomon Islands third.
As well as a regular stream of weapons and military equipment into the kingdom from China’s vaults, there is growing concern over a possible Chinese military presence at Cambodia’s naval base in Reim.
Indeed, recent satellite imagery has disappointing indications that the site is designated HQ-9. being prepared for surface to air missile (SAM) battery. Such a possibility was first raised by Tom Shugart, Adjunct Senior Fellow of the Defense Program at the Center for a New American Security.
Shugart noted that a road along the eastern edge of Ream Naval Base now has several paved pads or expanses cut by forest, which is evident in a satellite image from June 2022.
The academic noted that the design of the road with several 10–12 m deep labyrinths resembled an installation that the PLA had built for defence. Yalong Naval Base Feather Hainan Island Around in 2016. That area now houses a HQ-9 SAM battery with missile launcher vehicles and radar.
It should be noted that China has deployed HQ-9 SAMs to its military installations on Woody Island in Paracels and three other reefs in the Spratly Islands (Fiery Cross Reef, Subi Reef and Mischief Reef) in the South China Sea.
Returning to the Ream Naval Base, the new road is adjacent to a parcel of land cleared in 2019 with its specific extension, the purpose of which is still unknown. The road is in an area allegedly reserved for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) within the complex. The road was constructed at the same time as other buildings in the suspected “Chinese” area.
In light of satellite imagery evidence, Shugart said: “So, is China actually building a SAM launcher placement on a foreign base located in a country that claimed no such base was under construction, and which continues to claim that it will never allow a foreign army. Base on its soil? Maybe it’s too early to tell in my opinion, but…maybe?” US officials were given an invitation to Riem Naval Base by Cambodia’s Defense Minister T Ban in June 2021, although they were not allowed full access to the site.
A year ago, Cambodia demolished a US-funded building – the strategic headquarters of the National Committee for Maritime Security – on the base, after it was inaugurated in 2012. Phnom Penh claimed the facility was being relocated to a roomier site about 35 km away. On the island of Koh Prib near Sihanoukville. Cambodia also removed a rigid-hull inflatable boat ramp and boat maintenance facility building built by the United States for Cambodia in 2017. In this way, Cambodia has removed all evidence of US support at the base.
There have been several claims and media reports that said China was planning to establish its presence at the Reem Naval Base, but the facility was kept secret. At least it was until news of a ground-breaking ceremony surfaced on 8 June 2022, where it was revealed that China was funding a major upgrade of the base. Chai Ban has repeatedly denied allegations that Chinese military personnel would be stationed at the base. He said the country’s constitution forbids foreign military bases on its sovereign territory. “We need to upgrade our base to defend our country, territory and sovereignty,” he declared.
The area allocated for the Chinese renovation is about 300m2, and the project should take about two years to complete. The minister said: “We want dry dock, wharf and slipway rehabilitation, because now, medium ships cannot anchor in Ream. We have to swim in the sea, and we have no means to repair ships.”
Meanwhile, Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wentian said at a ground-breaking event that the upgrade “was not targeted at any third party, and would also be conducive to practical cooperation between the two armies”. “As a strong pillar of the iron-clad partnership, China-Cambodia military cooperation is in the fundamental interests of our two countries and the two peoples,” Wang said. The upgrade will include a command center; Multi-use facility including meeting, reception, storage, entertainment, dining and sports venues; a hospital and medical facility; Workshop; dry dock; slipway; And piers for light/medium ships. China will also carry out dredging to deepen the shipping lanes leading up to the base, and help the Royal Cambodian Navy with the repair and maintenance of ships. China will also provide 36,900 uniforms for naval personnel.
Chai Ban assured at the ceremony: “Please don’t be too worried about this Reem base. This port is too small and even after upgrading, it cannot be a port that threatens any country.” The largest vessel capable of reaching the renovated naval base will be of 5,000 tonnes. However, this is much higher than the 1,000-tonne vessel limit at present. In November 2021, the United States sanctioned two Cambodian defense officials over allegations of corruption in relation to construction financing in Reim.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian dismissed US allegations that China was attempting to establish a military presence in Reim. He described these as a “typical bullying act” by the United States. “The US has ignored the situation in Cambodia, repeatedly making malicious speculation, attacking and smearing Cambodia, and even threatening and pressuring Cambodia.”
On 12 May this year Cambodia released a defense white paper. Interestingly, the document mentioned the controversial naval base: “Reem Naval Base modernization is essential for the sovereign rights of Cambodia to serve its interests and the security of the territory. The purpose of this modernization is to effectively expand Cambodia’s maritime domain.” This modernization poses no threat to any particular nation in the region, while Cambodia does not allow any foreign military bases on its sovereign territory.”
Therefore, there has been a persistent and vehement denial from both Cambodia and China. Whether both the countries are telling the truth or not, only time will tell. The PLA’s presence in Cambodia will extend the reach of the Chinese military further south through its many island reef installations built in the South China Sea. Reem Naval Base is located at the top end of the Gulf of Thailand, so a presence there could enhance China’s ability to conduct surveillance and intelligence gathering in the Gulf, and perhaps even in the eastern part of the Indian Ocean. It is suspected that China may set up a ground station for its BeiDou satellite navigation system there as well.
A Chinese facility in Reim would also be of great concern to Vietnam, as it would create a three-front situation for Vietnam. Vietnam will have to deal with threats from the South China Sea and Cambodia on its northern border from China. China already has a major influence on the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, and it is certainly the most prolific supplier of equipment. For example, photos appeared online in the past week of a large shipment of vehicles in Cambodia. There has been no previous record of orders being logged, so it is unclear why so many vehicles – notably the BJ80 4×4 light utility vehicle, the Hongqi H9 luxury sedan and another type of Chinese-made sedan – were handed over to the Cambodian military. Why is it being delivered? , Such vehicles, especially luxury sedans, seem unsuitable for a money-strapped army. So some commentators might speculate that China is supplying such vehicles to buy favors, loyalty, or to reward the Cambodian military. This recent vehicle shipment isn’t everything. Video and photo imagery emerged of a Chinese-made military kit unloading from a cargo ship in Sihanoukville on May 25
Port in Cambodia. Notably, the equipment included the SH1 155mm truck-mounted howitzer, and the AR2 300mm and Type 90B 122mm multiple rocket launchers destined for the Royal Cambodian Army.
All three weapons are manufactured by Chinese state-owned Norinco. Other vehicles with artillery systems such as ammunition transport trucks and the Xiaolong JL3 (FJ2040) were 4×4 tactical vehicles. At least five of the latter probably serve as communications or meteorological vehicles. The new weapon systems were sent to the Artillery Headquarters in Kampong Spu Province.
UK-based defense publisher Shepherd Media estimated that the Royal Cambodian Army purchased two batteries of Type 90B rocket launchers (supported by 12 BeiBen 2629 rocket resupply trucks and two BeiBen Battery command post trucks); a battery of six AR2 rocket launchers (two Wanshan WS2500 rocket transport trucks with cranes, two WS2400 rocket reloading and resupply trucks, and one BeiBen battery with command post); and two batteries of SH1 6×6 howitzers (six guns each, plus a BeiBen command post vehicle and other supporting auxiliary vehicles). These are Cambodia’s first self-propelled howitzers, and Hun Sen said at the time that the cost of the new equipment was USD40 million. If true, this would represent a ridiculously cheap price, given that only one American-made HIMARS (equivalent to the Chinese AR2) costs USD5.5 million. This suggests that China is selling its satellite equipment at “partner rates”. Cambodia originally received 30 artillery pieces and accessories for the price of seven HIMARS!
Another example showing that China is Cambodia’s main source of military equipment, delivery of 290 military trucks in June 2020, was ordered in mid-2019. Photos showed that many of these were Hongyan Genlian C100 trucks (based on an Iveco design) with a mix of 4×4 and 6×6 variants.
A year ago, China extended a USD 84 million loan to Cambodia to buy military equipment. Ti Ban explained at the time: “We have an important agreement – China will give 600 million yuan to the Cambodian army, which we will use to increase military capacity. We will continue our cooperation, which is unbreakable. We reaffirmed the continuity of the existing We continue to strengthen cooperation as we operate.” Cambodia is trying to try and eat its cake. It wants Chinese financial and diplomatic support, but it wants to avoid regional turmoil and upset its own residents with reports of a Chinese military base.
However, finger-twisting and public tongue licking by the United States is not going to solve anything or improve relations with Cambodia. The fact is that US leverage over most of Southeast Asia is limited when it comes to direct competition with China. Indeed, 23.4% of Cambodia’s trade is with China, and just 15.5% with the United States.
Cambodia’s relations with the United States are not the only strains. The European Union canceled a trade deal with Cambodia – known as Everything But Arms – on 12 August 2020 due to human rights concerns.
China is already making moves to fill the gap anyway. For example, in the coastal province of Sihanoukville, China has funded the construction of more than 100 casinos as well as dozens of hotels and resorts. Also of concern is a mysterious “tourism” development in Koh Kong province that includes an unusually large airport and a deep-water port.
Beijing is the undisputed number one investor in this poor Southeast Asian country. Other areas of Chinese investment include railways, solar power and telecommunications.
The PLA’s only other major foreign military base is in Djibouti in the Horn of Africa, and it is feared that Cambodia could become second and the Solomon Islands third.