DREDGERS have been spotted off Cambodia's Ream naval base, where China is funding construction work, reports Reuters.
THE US reiterated its concerns about China's construction and military presence at Ream.
'These developments threaten US and partner interests, regional security, and Cambodia's sovereignty,' said a US State Department representative.
Said Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative: 'Dredging of deeper port facilities would be necessary for the docking of larger military ships at Ream, and was part of a secret agreement between China and Cambodia that US officials reported seeing in 2019,'
The Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) cited a 2019 Wall Street Journal report that said the deal granted China military access to the base in return for funding facilities improvements.
Last June, Cambodia declared China would help to modernise and expand Ream, but would not be the only country given access to the facility.
The US State Department representative said the US urged Cambodia 'to be fully transparent about the intent, nature, and scope of the project at Ream and the role the PRC military is playing in its construction, raising concerns about the intended use of this naval facility.'
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THE US reiterated its concerns about China's construction and military presence at Ream.
'These developments threaten US and partner interests, regional security, and Cambodia's sovereignty,' said a US State Department representative.
Said Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative: 'Dredging of deeper port facilities would be necessary for the docking of larger military ships at Ream, and was part of a secret agreement between China and Cambodia that US officials reported seeing in 2019,'
The Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) cited a 2019 Wall Street Journal report that said the deal granted China military access to the base in return for funding facilities improvements.
Last June, Cambodia declared China would help to modernise and expand Ream, but would not be the only country given access to the facility.
The US State Department representative said the US urged Cambodia 'to be fully transparent about the intent, nature, and scope of the project at Ream and the role the PRC military is playing in its construction, raising concerns about the intended use of this naval facility.'
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