US Military Official Confirms China Deal to Use Cambodian Naval Base

[geovalin]

VOA national security correspondent Jeff Seldin contributed to this article.

 

CAMP H. M. SMITH, Hawaii - A senior U.S. Indo-Pacific Command officer August 15 confirmed Cambodia and China are proceeding on a base for China's navy in the Southeast Asian country's Preah Sihanouk province. 

 

Army Brigadier General Joel B. Vowell said construction would begin next year at Ream Naval Base, confirming to a group of regional journalists here that Cambodia will grant China access to the deep coastal waters on the Gulf of Thailand. 

 

"We have information that tells us that there will be some development by the People's Republic of China to facilitate a naval base at Ream," said Vowell, the command's deputy director for strategic planning and policy.

 

"So that tells me they want to build something there, facilities to wharf, to house and sustain naval projection of combat power from Ream," he said.

 

Pentagon officials in Washington would not comment on Vowell's remarks.

Vowell called China's military extension plans in Cambodia "a big concern" for the U.S. and its allies in the region. 

 

The Ream base offers deep-water access to the Gulf of Thailand, which gives ready access to the South China Sea. China claims most of the South China Sea area, where the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Taiwan maintain competing claims to its islands and potentially resource-rich waters, now dotted by islands constructed by Beijing.

 

Donald Emmerson, director of the Southeast Asia program at the Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center at Stanford University, said that if China uses the Ream base, it would be "extremely dangerous." 

 

The Wall Street Journal first reported the military deal between Cambodia and China in July, saying the arrangement would allow China to use the base for 30 years, with automatic renewals every 10 years, and allow Beijing to build military facilities and buildings on the 100-hectare base. 

 

China and Cambodia denied the report, but Vowell disputed those denials. 

"Ask them to take you on that tour in May of next year, and see what's been built," Vowell said. "I'm almost positive it [won't] have a Cambodian or U.S. flag on it. It'll have a Chinese flag." 

 

Vowell also expressed concern over Chinese construction of an airport and resort in Koh Kong province, 70 kilometers north of Ream Naval Base. 

 

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen and Defense Minister Tea Banh have not answered a June 24 Pentagon letter to them about the Ream plans, although there has been lower-level engagement. 

 

In the June 24 letter, U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary for South and Southeast Asia JosephFelter expressed concerns about Cambodia's rejection of U.S. assistance for repairing a training facility and boat maintenance depot at the base.

 

Felterrecounted his visit in January to the base, where he received a request from an unnamed deputy commander who requested U.S. help with repairs.

 

Earlier this week, the spokesman for Cambodia's Ministry of Defense, Chhum Socheat told VOA that a U.S. military attaché based in Cambodia had been summoned on July 1 and asked to explain the concerns in Felter's letter, adding that Cambodia's constitution prohibits a Chinese military presence at Ream. 

 

"Secondly, if you want to use a naval base in Cambodia, I would say it is better to use Hainan Island because it is closer [to China] and has deeper [water compared] to here," he said. The island is part of China's southernmost province.

 

Vowell, speaking on August 15, said Cambodia must respond to Felter's letter before the command can decide what to do.

 

https://www.voanews.com/east-asia-pacific/us-military-official-confirms-china-deal-use-cambodian-naval-base

[phycokiller]

I have a lot of american friends, but currently both china and the US are lead by dictators and I wont be fighting any wars for either of them so it makes no difference to me which one gets the naval bases,

[HLover]

9 minutes ago, phycokiller said:

currently both china and the US are lead by dictators

More like out of touch elitists.

[billd766]

quote "

In the June 24 letter, U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary for South and Southeast Asia Joseph Felter expressed concerns about Cambodia's rejection of U.S. assistance for repairing a training facility and boat maintenance depot at the base.

Felter recounted his visit in January to the base, where he received a request from an unnamed deputy commander who requested U.S. help with repairs. 

 

Boo Hoo, those nasty Cambodians won't let the USA play in Cambodia, but those sneaky Chinese are let in by the Cambodians.

 

Does it ever occur to U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary for South and Southeast Asia Joseph Felter that perhaps Cambodia is not a state of the USA and has the choice of who they want to be partners with.

 

Vowell, speaking on August 15, said Cambodia must respond to Felter's letter before the command can decide what to do.

 

Why must Cambodia respond to Felter's letter?

 

[Katipo]

It seems Hun Sen and his cronies have sold out their country for riches and Chinese backing to maintain power, while the majority of their countrymen and women struggle devastating poverty.

[losworld]

Well looks like one down in se asia for china and a few more to go lol

[Isaan sailor]

And Thailand, you better believe ChiComs have set their sights on you.  Look at Spratly Islands, Mekong River, and Hong Kong.  Still want that Belt & Road Initiative?  And your high Baht will devastate exports and tourism.  All part of the plan?

Edited August 26, 2019 by Isaan sailor

[Traubert]

Maybe the daily casualty rate from the thousands of scatter bombs and land mines delivered to Cambodia by the Americans previously has something to do with it?

[Thaidream]

1 hour ago, Isaan sailor said:

And Thailand, you better believe ChiComs have set their sights on you.  Look at Spratly Islands, Mekong River, and Hong Kong.  Still want that Belt & Road Initiative?  And your high Baht will devastate exports and tourism.  All part of the plan?

Do China and Cambodia really believe that a Chinese military base on the Southeast Asia Mainland will be simply ignored by the US?

 

China is about to find out that the US does not fold and run but will answer  China's aggressive posture by placing a large US military garrison in a Sout East Asian country which could be Vietnam or the Phillipines.  In addition- I would expect that Thailand will continue to allow US Forces to enter Thailand when needed.

 

While I disagree with Trump's handling of the tariff situation, China is going to eventually have to negotiate in good faith or see  a degradation of its economy.  American Companies will be leaving China and I am hopeful Trump will bar Chinese students from entering US universities and Chinese officials from purchasing US Debt.

 

It will be interesting to see what China does with Hong Kong- if they send in the troops to quell the HK riots- they will have taken the bait and  at some point with the pressure of international sanctions and  eventual loss of jobs in China- the communist leadership will crumble just like in the former Soviet Union.

 

The current Chinese leadership represents a clear and present danger to the World and  smart countries will realize that and  change their foreign policy profile accordinly.Csmbodia\s leadership is greedy and does not care about it's own people and loss of sovereignty

 

I am sure China is waiting for the departure of Trump and a new President in the hope they would get a better deal.                                                                                                                                       

 

[hotchilli]

China knows exactly what it's doing... the new belt road initiative, special economic zones around Asia, ports around the world, man made islands in the China sea.... it's like a well planned strategy coming together.

While the Americans are sitting back watching and flapping gums around the table the Chinese are doing what they want where they want!

Chinese economy will not slump, it will be operating in several countries with it's own trade links in place to ship in materials and products out !

[spidermike007]

The US is getting played right now, on so many levels. In terms of trade, Xi is getting Trump to work his playbook 100%, and Trump has zero awareness of it. Unfortunately, the US lawmakers are asleep at the wheel, so very little vigilance. Trump is increasing China's influence daily. The US simply has to accept the fact that it's influence is waning daily throughout the world, but especially in Asia. China is working it's influence in ways that America cannot dream of. It is a thing to witness. The waning of an empire. 

[phycokiller]

7 hours ago, Katipo said:

It seems Hun Sen and his cronies have sold out their country for riches and Chinese backing to maintain power, while the majority of their countrymen and women struggle devastating poverty.

actually there does seem to be a growing middleclass. but thats no thanks to leadership, just shows how people can still get ahead if the government stays out of their way. things are likely to take a turn for the worse tho as the west stops buying their products

[Redline]

13 hours ago, billd766 said:

quote "

In the June 24 letter, U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary for South and Southeast Asia Joseph Felter expressed concerns about Cambodia's rejection of U.S. assistance for repairing a training facility and boat maintenance depot at the base.

Felter recounted his visit in January to the base, where he received a request from an unnamed deputy commander who requested U.S. help with repairs. 

 

Boo Hoo, those nasty Cambodians won't let the USA play in Cambodia, but those sneaky Chinese are let in by the Cambodians.

 

Does it ever occur to U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary for South and Southeast Asia Joseph Felter that perhaps Cambodia is not a state of the USA and has the choice of who they want to be partners with.

 

Vowell, speaking on August 15, said Cambodia must respond to Felter's letter before the command can decide what to do.

 

Why must Cambodia respond to Felter's letter?

 

Seems you are a fan of communist and dictators.  The USA has leverage in Cambodia via trade.

I guess you are a bit ignorant about the relationship between the nations?

There are other options as well, but cutting of trade would be pretty catastrophic 

 

 

[tgw]

9 hours ago, Thaidream said:

Do China and Cambodia really believe that a Chinese military base on the Southeast Asia Mainland will be simply ignored by the US?

 

China is about to find out that the US does not fold and run but will answer  China's aggressive posture by placing a large US military garrison in a Sout East Asian country which could be Vietnam or the Phillipines. 

 

 

LOL !

China is said to be aggressive, but the US has significant military presence in South Korea, Japan, the Philippines, and the US has militarized more pacific islands than the Chinese.

 

[Morty T]

21 hours ago, phycokiller said:

I have a lot of american friends, but currently both china and the US are lead by dictators and I wont be fighting any wars for either of them so it makes no difference to me which one gets the naval bases,

The usual Liberal rant, that is of course if something does happen to them, then they demand the full force and legal protections afforded. 

[phycokiller]

1 hour ago, Morty T said:

The usual Liberal rant, that is of course if something does happen to them, then they demand the full force and legal protections afforded. 

the usual conservative projection

[jimmyyy]

US already pretty much maintains a military presence in the Philippines and Thailand.  I suspect we shall see more of this to counter the threat to Thailand from China in Cambodia. 

[Benmart]

On 8/26/2019 at 10:58 AM, phycokiller said:

I have a lot of american friends, but currently both china and the US are lead by dictators and I wont be fighting any wars for either of them so it makes no difference to me which one gets the naval bases,

You post is both laughable and inaccurate. Happily, both countries benefit from your citizenship being neither that of the USA or the PRC. 

[Benmart]

17 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

The US is getting played right now, on so many levels. In terms of trade, Xi is getting Trump to work his playbook 100%, and Trump has zero awareness of it. Unfortunately, the US lawmakers are asleep at the wheel, so very little vigilance. Trump is increasing China's influence daily. The US simply has to accept the fact that it's influence is waning daily throughout the world, but especially in Asia. China is working it's influence in ways that America cannot dream of. It is a thing to witness. The waning of an empire. 

May you live long enough to realize and witness living in a Chinese dominated world. That empire may be hell for many.

[billd766]

9 hours ago, Redline said:

Seems you are a fan of communist and dictators.  The USA has leverage in Cambodia via trade.

I guess you are a bit ignorant about the relationship between the nations?

There are other options as well, but cutting of trade would be pretty catastrophic 

 

 

Thank you very much for the insult about about my ignorance.

 

I bow deeply to your inestimable superior knowledge. It is a great pity that you actually believe  that I am a supporter of communists and dictators. You couldn't be further off target if you tried.

 

However a little snippet to keep you happy.

 

https://www.iol.co.za/business-report/belt-and-road/china-and-cambodia-have-decided-to-increase-bilateral-trade-by-10-billion-dollars-27590286

 

BELT AND ROAD / 26 JUNE 2019, 07:00AM / AALIYAH FORTUIN

 

China and Cambodia have decided to increase bilateral trade by $10 Billion dollars

 

That doesn't seem to agree with what you quoted does it, about the USA being Cambodia's largest trading partner?

 

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-01/22/c_137766176.htm

 

BEIJING, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- The China-Cambodia Trade and Investment Promotion Forum 2019 was held in Beijing Tuesday, aimed at exploring ways to boost economic, trade and investment ties between the two countries.

Chinese Vice Premier Hu Chunhua and Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen addressed the event's opening ceremony.

In recent years, with the concerted efforts of both sides, bilateral trade grew rapidly, achieving the goal of 6 billion U.S. dollars two years ahead of schedule, Hu said.

 

https://gbtimes.com/china-ready-to-take-relations-with-cambodia-to-a-new-high

 

Prime Minister Techo Hun Sen is currently on a four-day visit to China that began on Sunday.

Figures from China's Ministry of Commerce show that trade between China and Cambodia reached US$4.69bn in the period between January and August 2018 - a 23.8 percent increase compared to the same period in 2017.

In addition, China is Cambodia's biggest source of tourism, with more than 1.27 million visiting between January and August 2018. This figure represents a year-on-year increase of 72 percent.

[phycokiller]

59 minutes ago, Benmart said:

You post is both laughable and inaccurate. Happily, both countries benefit from your citizenship being neither that of the USA or the PRC. 

the whole planet does, if I may say so myself

[phycokiller]

45 minutes ago, car720 said:

China will syphon out all local currency through their casinos and then just buy the rest.

gunna take a while considering the local currency is US$

[Redline]

1 hour ago, billd766 said:

Thank you very much for the insult about about my ignorance.

 

I bow deeply to your inestimable superior knowledge. It is a great pity that you actually believe  that I am a supporter of communists and dictators. You couldn't be further off target if you tried.

 

However a little snippet to keep you happy.

 

https://www.iol.co.za/business-report/belt-and-road/china-and-cambodia-have-decided-to-increase-bilateral-trade-by-10-billion-dollars-27590286

 

BELT AND ROAD / 26 JUNE 2019, 07:00AM / AALIYAH FORTUIN

 

China and Cambodia have decided to increase bilateral trade by $10 Billion dollars

 

That doesn't seem to agree with what you quoted does it, about the USA being Cambodia's largest trading partner?

 

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-01/22/c_137766176.htm

 

BEIJING, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- The China-Cambodia Trade and Investment Promotion Forum 2019 was held in Beijing Tuesday, aimed at exploring ways to boost economic, trade and investment ties between the two countries.

Chinese Vice Premier Hu Chunhua and Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen addressed the event's opening ceremony.

In recent years, with the concerted efforts of both sides, bilateral trade grew rapidly, achieving the goal of 6 billion U.S. dollars two years ahead of schedule, Hu said.

 

https://gbtimes.com/china-ready-to-take-relations-with-cambodia-to-a-new-high

 

Prime Minister Techo Hun Sen is currently on a four-day visit to China that began on Sunday.

Figures from China's Ministry of Commerce show that trade between China and Cambodia reached US$4.69bn in the period between January and August 2018 - a 23.8 percent increase compared to the same period in 2017.

In addition, China is Cambodia's biggest source of tourism, with more than 1.27 million visiting between January and August 2018. This figure represents a year-on-year increase of 72 percent.

Sure, China has already taken over Cambodia.  I have family and friends from there, so I already know.  I’m talking about now, not the future silly.  Cambodia also uses US dollars for most transactions.  Look at the statistics about who Cambodia sells to-the USA and the EU.  You think China is going to buy all of these goods ????  China makes their own.  China is simply going to take what they want, and force a revolution in Cambodia.  The country is being destroyed, and the local people want to keep the their culture.  Look at the figures about trade now-because that is what I was talking about 

Edited August 27, 2019 by Redline

[spidermike007]

2 hours ago, Benmart said:

The US is getting played right now, on so many levels. In terms of trade, Xi is getting Trump to work his playbook 100%, and Trump has zero awareness of it. Unfortunately, the US lawmakers are asleep at the wheel, so very little vigilance. Trump is increasing China's influence daily. The US simply has to accept the fact that it's influence is waning daily throughout the world, but especially in Asia. China is working it's influence in ways that America cannot dream of. It is a thing to witness. The waning of an empire. 

 

 

May you live long enough to realize and witness living in a Chinese dominated world. That empire may be hell for many.

I am not a fan of the Chinese government. And I am not saying I want this, nor am I looking forward to this. I consider that regime heinous. But, it is inevitable that they will be far more influential in the future, than they are now. And it is a fairly easy argument to make, that the US is in a state of decline, has been for many years now, and that the decline will continue over the course of our remaining years. 

[Oliver Holzerfilled]

16 hours ago, tgw said:

 

LOL !

China is said to be aggressive, but the US has significant military presence in South Korea, Japan, the Philippines, and the US has militarized more pacific islands than the Chinese.

 

LOL !

How many of these Pacific Islands with a US military presence have claims against the USA disputing ownership of said islands unlike the Chinese in the South China Sea?

Edited August 27, 2019 by Oliver Holzerfilled

[tgw]

31 minutes ago, Oliver Holzerfilled said:

LOL !

How many of these Pacific Islands with a US military presence have claims against the USA disputing ownership of said islands unlike the Chinese in the South China Sea?

I couldn't make sense of your question.

 

 

 

[IAMHERE]

Good news for if the new subs need any Chinese repairs, easy to get them to Cambodia than all the way back to the mainland.

 

[Oliver Holzerfilled]

On 8/27/2019 at 8:39 AM, tgw said:

I couldn't make sense of your question.

 

 

 

China has a military presence on islands that other countries claim as their own and therefore believe China has no right to be on them, much less use them for military purposes.

[tifino]

so the Chinese will do massive workovers to the current Port

and then, as tenants, will send the massive 'improvements' bill to the (landlords) Cambos

 

of course, the Cambos cannot pay, and the Chinese will waylay the bill, and in turn take full ownership of all of it...

 

but this will all be overshadowed by the more impressive subversive show;

of commie mates helping each other out, for the common cause...

[tgw]

4 hours ago, Oliver Holzerfilled said:

China has a military presence on islands that other countries claim as their own and therefore believe China has no right to be on them, much less use them for military purposes.

what about the other islands claimed by China, but with military presence from Vietnam, Philippines, Taiwan and Malaysia ?

 

That an island is claimed by a country doesn't mean that it should belong to that country, especially as the Spratly islands have many claims on them.

 

The USA has invaded/seized many pacific islands in the same way by just occupying them with military troops.

 

Of course China tries to extend its "bubble" of influence around the Chinese mainland. By looking at a map of US military bases and patrol routes around China anyone can understand why China would feel besieged.

I wonder how the USA would appreciate patrols of Chinese warships between Hawaii and Alaska, Oregon and California. Granted, since the US-Maxican war is over, the US isn't bullying one of its neighboring countries like China does with Taiwan, but still...

 

And about Taiwan, one has to wonder why this country is recognized as a sovereign nation by only 18 countries, of which this is the list:

1    Belize (1989)
2    El Salvador (1961)
3    Guatemala (1960)
4    Haiti (1956)
5    Honduras (1965)
6    Kiribati (2003)
7    Marshall Islands (1998)
8    Nauru (1980–2002, 2005)
9    Nicaragua (1990)
10    Palau (1999)
11    Paraguay (1957)
12    Saint Kitts and Nevis (1983)
13    Saint Lucia (1984–1997, 2007)
14    Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (1981)
15    Solomon Islands (1983)
16    Swaziland (1968)
17    Tuvalu (1979)
18    Vatican City (The Holy See) (1942)

 

impressive list of diplomatical power above !!!

 

Isn't that totally bonkers?

 

Why would the US enforce territorial waters of a country they don't even recognize?

 

Edited August 30, 2019 by tgw