She would not comment on reports that China also planned to hand over to Cambodia newly expanded facilities at Ream Naval Base, including a lengthy new pier capable of accommodating much larger naval vessels than Cambodia has in its own fleet. Maly did say the final phase of construction would soon be completed.
The United States and others have expressed concerns about China’s navy establishing a base at Ream, which would give it easy access to the Malacca Strait, a critical shipping route between the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean.
Maly said the two corvettes being given to Cambodia, the Type 56C variant, came after Cambodia requested China’s support.
Chinese work on the base has continued and Hun Sen’s successor as prime minister, his son Hun Manet, has insisted the same thing.
“It’s quite a smart move, as it allows Cambodia to maintain its line that it hasn’t deviated from the constitution by creating a foreign base. And China has no shortage of warships to donate,” he said.
The U.S. has more foreign military bases than any other country, including multiple facilities in the Asia-Pacific region.
MDT/AP
