US warship docks in Cambodia amid China naval base concerns

A US warship docked in Cambodia on Monday, just kilometres away from a Chinese-renovated naval base, in the first American military port call to one of Beijing’s closest regional allies in eight years.

Washington’s relationship with Phnom Penh has been deteriorating for years, with China pouring billions of dollars into infrastructure investment under Cambodia’s former leader Hun Sen.

AFP reporters saw Cambodian navy personnel welcoming the USS Savannah’s arrival to the southern port city of Sihanoukville on Monday.

The ship’s commanding officer Daniel A. Sledz said “it is great to be back, returning US presence here after eight years,” adding that his crew were “very pleased” to be hosted by Cambodia.

The US embassy posted a statement on social media on Monday saying the combat ship is on a “goodwill visit” that aims to “boost US-Cambodia coordination and response to shared maritime security challenges.”

Cambodian Navy Capt. Mean Savoeun, deputy commander of the Ream Naval Base, was among those dockside welcoming the Savannah to Sihanoukville. He said he was happy to see the good relationship between Cambodia and the US, especially their navies, and believed the visit will bring closer diplomatic cooperation.

Cambodia’s defence ministry said on Friday that the five-day visit aims to “strengthen and expand friendship” and “promote bilateral cooperation.”

Since 2022, China has been funding the renovation of the Ream naval base, some 30 kilometres (20 miles) from Sihanoukville, which was originally built partly using US funds.

Washington has said the Ream base could give Beijing a key strategic position in the Gulf of Thailand near the disputed South China Sea, which China claims almost in its entirety. Cambodian leaders have repeatedly denied that the base is for use by any foreign power.

Chinese warships first docked at the 363-metre pier in December last year. Two berthed at Sihanoukville port in May as part of Beijing’s biggest joint military drills with Cambodia.

The Chinese military unveiled machine gun-equipped “robodogs” this year at the annual joint exercises, known as the “Golden Dragon” drills.

In early 2017, Cambodia scrapped similar joint exercises with US forces that had been held for the previous seven years.

Cambodia’s defence ministry said 27 US navy vessels have visited the nation since 2007, although the USS Savannah’s visit with 103 crew members was the first docking in eight years. The ship’s senior officers will meet with the Ream base’s commander.

On Monday, Beijing responded to the US warship’s visit to Sihanoukville saying “such exchanges and collaborations in security and defence should contribute to promoting regional peace and stability, rather than the opposite.”

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin visited Cambodia in June to reset ties with the staunch China ally. Cambodia’s foreign minister Prak Sokhonn and the US embassy’s Bridgette Walker last week hailed the “reinvigoration” of military ties between the two countries.

Controversy over the Chinese activity at Ream initially arose in 2019 when The Wall Street Journal reported that an early draft of an agreement seen by US 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 government has denied such an agreement or any intention to grant China special privileges at the base, though Beijing has funded its expansion.

In September, Cambodia’s Defence Ministry said that China is giving its navy two warships of the type it has had docked there for months. China is set to hand over two newly built Type 56 corvettes - smaller vessels typically used for coastal patrols - next year at the earliest, after Cambodia requested China’s support.

Cambodia’s defence ministry said the Savannah’s port call will include “a working meeting with the commander of the Ream Naval Base,” as well as meetings with provincial officials and “a friendship sports competition between the crews of the US Navy and the Cambodian Navy.”

Agencies