China’s defense ministry revealed plans to dispatch two warships to Cambodia and East Timor from mid-May to mid-June.
The deployment, comprising the naval training ship Qijiguang and the amphibious warfare ship Jinggangshan, aims to facilitate training with local naval cadets, fostering mutual trust between the countries’ navies.
The Jinggangshan, equipped to transport helicopters, armored vehicles, and troops, joins the technologically advanced Qijiguang in this mission.
While China did not specify the vessels’ bases during their stay, the move raises eyebrows over China’s expanding presence at Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base.
Ream’s recent expansion, supported by China, has drawn concern from the United States. Washington fears the base could serve as a strategic outpost for Beijing, particularly given its location along the Gulf of Thailand and proximity to the hotly contested South China Sea.
Cambodia’s decision to allow China’s development of Ream has strained its ties with the US. The base, previously utilized for joint naval exercises with the US, underwent a China-funded upgrade starting June 2022, leading to the demolition of a US-built facility in 2020.
The presence of two Chinese warships at Ream since December has intensified scrutiny. Despite Cambodia’s assurance that this doesn’t signal a permanent Chinese military presence, concerns persist over China’s intentions in the region.
China’s strengthened relationship with Cambodia includes high-level exchanges, exemplified by Defense Minister Dong Jun’s meeting with Cambodian military leaders in Beijing.
Both sides pledge to deepen military cooperation, further consolidating their “ironclad” friendship.
As China expands its naval footprint in Southeast Asia, geopolitical tensions rise, particularly concerning the South China Sea.
The dispatch of warships for training underscores China’s efforts to bolster regional alliances while raising questions about its long-term strategic objectives.
