20-5-2024 (PHNOM PENH) On May 19, two Chinese warships docked in Cambodia’s port city of Sihanoukville as part of the largest joint military exercises ever conducted between China and the Southeast Asian nation. The event, which highlights the robust alliance between the two countries, was celebrated by Beijing’s Ambassador, who lauded their “ironclad” friendship.
Cambodia has consistently been a key ally of China, benefiting from billions of dollars in Chinese investment. However, this close relationship has raised concerns in Washington, particularly regarding the strategic implications of the Chinese-upgraded Cambodian naval base in the Gulf of Thailand.
The Chinese training ship Qijiguang and the amphibious warfare ship Jinggangshan arrived in Sihanoukville for the commencement of a 15-day exercise involving both land and sea operations. This drill features 760 Chinese military personnel and approximately 1,300 Cambodian soldiers, alongside 11 Cambodian naval vessels. The Qijiguang bore a banner proclaiming “Bring peace and friendship to meet good friends” as it entered the port.
“We are ironclad friends,” declared Chinese Ambassador Wang Wentian to reporters gathered on the shore. He emphasized that the military cooperation between China and Cambodia was beneficial for the security of both nations and the broader region.
In Ream, a nearby coastal location, China is financing the renovation of a naval base that was initially partially funded by the United States. This base expansion has sparked apprehension in Washington, which fears that it could enhance Beijing’s strategic presence in the Gulf of Thailand, close to the contentious South China Sea—a region largely claimed by China.
In December, two Chinese warships docked at Ream for the first time since the expansion efforts began. Despite U.S. concerns, Cambodian officials in 2023 denied that a new 363-metre pier at Ream was designed to accommodate aircraft carriers.
Responding to questions about China’s growing regional influence, Ambassador Wang stated, “Where the Chinese navy goes, we bring friendship, we bring cooperation, no others.”
The military drills kicked off on May 16 with a display of Chinese military hardware, including so-called “robodogs”—remote-controlled, four-legged robots equipped with automatic rifles. Demonstrations for journalists and senior officials focused on the robots’ mobility rather than their combat capabilities.
These exercises follow a three-day visit to Cambodia in April by China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, aimed at further strengthening the ties between the two nations.
