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However, the escalating insurgency in Myanmar, the junta’s botched Covid-19 pandemic response, and the possibility of Myanmar becoming a failed state may have caused China to doubt Myanmar’s capacity to secure its infrastructure projects in the country.
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The US has a logistics base in Singapore that hosts rotational deployments of littoral combat ships (LCS) and P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.Ĭhina’s possible future naval presence at Ream may be crucial in solving its “ Malacca Dilemma”, wherein its dependence on the Malacca Strait waterway for the passage of its trade, including in the past as much as 80% of its fuel imports from the Middle East, makes it vulnerable to a US naval blockade in a conflict scenario.Ĭhina’s development of the Kyaukphyu deep-sea port in Myanmar provides one hedge against the Malacca Strait through the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor, a highway and pipeline system connecting Kyaukphyu port to the southern landlocked Yunnan province in China. Significantly, a naval presence at Ream would give China a forward naval presence closer to the Malacca Strait to counterbalance, monitor and even potentially pre-empt against the US naval presence in Singapore. In addition, Cambodia can use China’s naval presence as insurance against long-simmering threats from neighboring Thailand and Vietnam. Images: ATMI/CSIS via MaxarĪ potential Chinese naval presence at Cambodia’s Ream base would allow China to balance against the US in the Malacca Strait chokepoint, secure its emerging interests in the Gulf of Thailand and establish a southern flank on the South China Sea. Satellite images of Chinese dredgers at Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base. In 2020, Cambodia demolished its US-built Cambodian Navy tactical headquarters facility at Ream, raising US concerns that the demolition was connected to Cambodia’s alleged 2019 secret agreement to host Chinese naval assets and military personnel at the base.Ĭambodian officials have consistently denied any such deal exists, which if so would violate legal provisions barring the stationing of foreign troops on Cambodian soil. The report also featured satellite imagery showing ongoing onshore construction work at the base, including clearing for roads and the development of concrete lots along the coast.
#Naval base upgrade
The report noted the dredging represents a potential significant upgrade as the base’s shallow waters currently allow it to host only small patrol vessels and not major warships.