Two Chinese warships, the amphibious warfare ship Yimeng Shan and the training ship Qijiguang, arrived at Sihanoukville’s civilian port in Cambodia on Friday for a friendship and training visit. This visit underscores China’s strategic ties with Cambodia, its closest ally in Southeast Asia, amidst ongoing regional tensions. The warships are scheduled to depart next Tuesday and will subsequently visit Thailand and Singapore. The visit coincides with heightened diplomatic sensitivities, particularly between Cambodia and Thailand, which recently engaged in a five-day armed conflict over border disputes. China’s military support to Cambodia has reportedly caused friction with Thailand, and the unresolved border issues continue to strain relations. Cambodian navy spokesperson Sam Sokha emphasized that the visit aims to strengthen cooperation rather than signal support in the border dispute. Notably, the ships docked at a commercial port instead of the nearby Ream Naval Base, a move seen as an effort to ease political concerns. The Ream Naval Base has been a point of contention, with U.S. suspicions that China has secured exclusive access, a claim denied by Cambodian officials. The Gulf of Thailand, where Sihanoukville is located, is adjacent to the South China Sea, a region of strategic importance for China’s naval operations. Rear Adm. In Sokhemra of the Ream Naval Base highlighted that foreign ships frequently visit Cambodia for cooperative exercises, including those from China, the Philippines, Australia, and the United States. On the same day, the Australian Navy’s frigate HMAS Ballarat also docked nearby, part of its Regional Presence Deployment aimed at fostering regional security and cooperation. China’s Ambassador to Cambodia, Wang Wenbin, reiterated China’s commitment to supporting Cambodia’s sovereignty and development. The visit was met with enthusiasm from local ethnic Chinese communities, who welcomed the ships with traditional dragon dances and Chinese flags. Sihanoukville, a hub for Chinese investment, has also been associated with Chinese-run criminal activities, including scam centers exploiting foreign workers.
Chinese navy ships make a friendship visit to Cambodia as concerns over military links linger
