A U.S. Navy warship is set to make a historic port call in Cambodia next week, marking the first such visit in eight years, and at a time of heightened scrutiny over China’s growing military presence in the region.
The Cambodian Ministry of National Defense said in a statement released on Friday that the USS Savannah, a littoral combat ship, will dock in a port city on the Gulf of Thailand from December 16 to 20.
The visit is described as an opportunity to “strengthen and expand the bonds of friendship” between the U.S. and Cambodia.
While the U.S. has not officially confirmed the visit, the Cambodian defense ministry said the port call was scheduled after a U.S. request and would promote bilateral cooperation.
Ream Naval Base’s Facebook page via AP, File
Why is a U.S. Navy Warship Heading to Cambodia?
The Savannah will be carrying a crew of 103 sailors and will not dock at the nearby Ream Naval Base, a site that has raised alarm in Washington and other Western capitals due to its potential use by Chinese military assets.
The Savannah is set to participate in several meetings, including a “working meeting” with the commander of the Ream Naval Base and local Cambodian officials.
According to analysts, the visit has the potential to underscore shifting geopolitical dynamics in Southeast Asia.
Tensions between the U.S. and Cambodia have been long-standing, with Washington frequently criticizing Cambodia’s government over issues of political repression and human rights violations.
The U.S. has also expressed concerns over China’s expanding influence in Cambodia, particularly regarding the upgrade of military facilities in the region.
Ream Naval Base’s Facebook page via AP, File
What Tensions Are There Between the U.S. and Cambodia?
One of the key flashpoints is the Ream Naval Base, located near Sihanoukville on Cambodia’s southern coast.
The U.S. and its allies fear that China may be using Cambodia as a foothold for its naval operations, particularly given Beijing’s growing ambitions in the South China Sea and the strategic Malacca Strait.
These concerns were amplified in 2019 after reports surfaced suggesting that Cambodia had secretly agreed to allow China a 30-year lease on the Ream base, providing Beijing with the ability to station troops, store weapons, and dock warships.
Why is the Ream Naval Base Controversial?
The Cambodian government has repeatedly denied these claims, asserting that the country’s constitution prohibits foreign military bases on its soil.
Nevertheless, Chinese construction activity at the Ream base has continued, prompting speculation about Cambodia’s deeper strategic alignment with Beijing.
The U.S. has also ramped up its engagement with Cambodia in recent months.
In June, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin visited Cambodia for talks with Prime Minister Hun Manet, marking a further effort to reinvigorate military-to-military cooperation.
Hun Manet, who graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, is seen as a key player in navigating Cambodia’s delicate balancing act between the U.S. and China.
This article contains additional reporting from The Associated Press.
