The ongoing modernization of Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base, supported by Chinese funding and technical assistance, has sparked global speculation about whether the base will become a strategic asset for Beijing’s growing military presence in Southeast Asia. Yet, Cambodia’s leadership under Prime Minister Hun Manet insists the upgrades are part of a long-term national security strategy, aimed at improving its naval defense capabilities and safeguarding the country’s maritime resources—not ceding control to foreign powers.
As construction nears completion, the debate around the base reveals more than just infrastructure improvements. It reflects Cambodia’s efforts to balance historical security concerns with the realities of regional power dynamics.
Upgrading Defense in a Volatile Region
Cambodia’s decision to modernize Ream Naval Base is rooted in its need to strengthen national defense capabilities. For years, the Royal Cambodian Navy (RCN) has faced significant challenges in patrolling the country’s waters, particularly in the Gulf of Thailand. Maritime tensions, including unresolved disputes with Thailand over overlapping claims to oil and gas reserves, along with illegal fishing operations by Vietnamese vessels, have left Cambodia vulnerable at sea.
Ream, the country’s only naval facility with direct access to the sea, was outdated and lacked the capacity to support a modern navy. The upgrade, financed and technically supported by China, involves expanding docking facilities, deepening water access, and installing advanced radar systems for maritime surveillance. These improvements directly address Cambodia’s need to better secure its territorial waters, particularly in the face of growing regional tensions.
Despite the involvement of Chinese contractors, Cambodian officials maintain that the project is fully under Cambodian command and designed to support the country’s own naval expansion, including the acquisition of new vessels.
Sovereignty at the Center of the Debate
Accusations that Cambodia is allowing China to establish a military outpost at Ream have dominated international headlines, with critics suggesting the project could give Beijing strategic access to the Gulf of Thailand. However, Cambodian authorities have consistently refuted these claims, pointing to the country’s constitution, which explicitly prohibits foreign military bases on its soil.
Prime Minister Hun Manet’s government has been firm: the base remains under Cambodia’s full operational control. While China has assisted with funding and infrastructure development, the Cambodian Navy retains command over its operations. Cambodia’s leadership has also emphasized that the upgrades are defensive in nature, aimed at addressing longstanding security vulnerabilities rather than serving as a platform for foreign power projection.
Cambodia’s approach reflects a calculated effort to balance national security needs while keeping its sovereignty intact. Critics often overlook the fact that Cambodia’s naval infrastructure was neglected for decades, leaving the nation unable to protect its waters effectively. The modernization of Ream is a step toward correcting that imbalance.
Why China?
Cambodia’s decision to partner with China for the Ream upgrade wasn’t purely ideological—it was practical. Decades of limited defense cooperation with Western powers left Cambodia seeking alternatives. When Cambodia faced border clashes with Thailand in 2011, support from Western allies was minimal. Similarly, U.S.-Cambodia defense relations have been strained due to disagreements over human rights and political issues, limiting access to Western security assistance.
China, however, stepped in with financial support and infrastructure expertise when Cambodia needed it most. Beijing has provided military aid and modernization assistance that no other partner offered at the time. While critics view this as strategic entrenchment, Cambodia sees it as necessary cooperation to close its naval capability gap.
At the same time, Cambodia has not exclusively aligned with China. It continues to engage with ASEAN defense dialogues, conduct joint military exercises with regional partners, and express interest in expanding cooperation with Western countries—so long as the partnerships respect Cambodia’s sovereignty.
More Than a Bilateral Issue
The implications of Ream’s modernization extend beyond Cambodia and China. Regional powers, particularly Vietnam and Thailand, view the developments with concern, given historical tensions. Vietnam has expressed fears that enhanced radar systems at Ream could allow Chinese technology to monitor southern Vietnamese airspace and naval activities. Thailand, meanwhile, remains wary due to its unresolved maritime disputes with Cambodia over energy-rich waters in the Gulf of Thailand.
However, Cambodia’s leadership has consistently framed the base upgrade as a national security effort, not a power play. The government argues that a stronger navy benefits the entire region by improving maritime security, combating illegal fishing, and protecting shared economic interests.
These security upgrades could also reduce Cambodia’s reliance on neighboring forces, positioning the nation as more self-reliant in safeguarding its territorial waters.
Economic and Developmental Impact
Beyond defense, the Ream Naval Base project brings significant economic benefits to Cambodia. The construction work has created local jobs and improved infrastructure in the surrounding areas. The modernization will also boost Cambodia’s capacity to secure its maritime trade routes and fisheries, critical components of the country’s economy.
Cambodia’s “blue economy” depends heavily on its coastal resources, with fishing, tourism, and offshore energy reserves contributing significantly to national GDP. Strengthening naval capacity ensures that these sectors are better protected from illegal exploitation and maritime threats.
Missteps and Missed Opportunities
Western reactions to the Ream project have often focused on suspicion rather than engagement. U.S. concerns about Chinese influence at the base have led to strained diplomatic ties, with Washington halting some defense cooperation efforts. However, this approach has arguably left Cambodia with fewer alternatives, pushing Phnom Penh closer to Beijing.
By focusing on criticism instead of constructive diplomacy, Western powers risk losing influence in a strategically vital part of Southeast Asia. A more effective approach would involve offering Cambodia capacity-building programs, maritime security partnerships, and development cooperation—on terms that respect Cambodia’s sovereignty. Western nations also need to acknowledge Cambodia’s legitimate security concerns. The modernization of Ream isn’t about siding with China but about closing long-standing gaps in defense capacity
A Sovereign Defense Strategy, Not Foreign Influence
The modernization of Ream Naval Base reflects Cambodia’s strategic decision to enhance its defense capabilities and protect its national interests, not a shift toward foreign control. Prime Minister Hun Manet’s government has made it clear that the upgrades are part of a broader plan for self-reliance and regional stability.
While China’s involvement has undoubtedly deepened bilateral ties, Cambodia retains operational control of its naval infrastructure and remains committed to maintaining sovereignty. Ream Naval Base, at its core, is a step toward ensuring Cambodia can defend its maritime territory while continuing to engage with regional partners and global powers.
If international partners, particularly the West, aim to balance China’s growing influence, the solution lies not in criticism but in offering Cambodia meaningful alternatives for defense cooperation and development support. Cambodia’s leadership has shown it is open to diverse partnerships—so long as they respect the nation’s right to chart its own course.
