Location
Situated on Cambodia’s Gulf of Thailand coast, near Sihanoukville.
Strategically close to the Malacca Strait, a crucial global shipping lane for trade and energy routes.
🛠️ Recent Developments
Inauguration Date: April 5, 2025
Inaugurated by: Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet
Key Feature: Major expansion with financial and technical support from China
Official Cambodian Standpoint: Expansion serves national defense interests
Global Concern: Suspicions over Chinese military presence and dual-use capabilities
🌍 Strategic Significance
🔹 Geopolitical Relevance
Malacca Strait proximity makes it a potential pivot point in maritime dominance.
Enables China to project naval power deeper into the Indo-Pacific region.
Could be part of China’s strategy to counterbalance Indian and Western influence.
🔹 Military Implications
Satellite imagery has shown Chinese warships docked at the base.
Raises fears of Ream becoming a Chinese naval outpost, similar to Djibouti in Africa.
Seen as part of China’s “String of Pearls” strategy to build a network of military/logistics bases.
🌐 Global Reactions
India, the U.S., and ASEAN countries are closely monitoring the developments.
Western nations have expressed concern over:
Lack of transparency
Risk of destabilizing regional maritime balance
Potential erosion of ASEAN centrality
🧭 Conclusion
The expansion of the Ream Naval Base underscores intensifying strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific. While Cambodia maintains its
sovereignty over the facility, China’s growing influence raises alarm about the militarization of strategic ports and regional power shifts