But security researchers suspect the true purpose of the warships’ presence is more closely linked to the training of Cambodian sailors – with a view towards future arms sales to the Southeast Asian nation – as well as establishing a military transit point for refuelling and replenishment.
Gregory Poling, a senior fellow and director at the CSIS’ Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, said the two corvettes indicated a permanent deployment of the Chinese navy at Ream.
“Cambodia cannot admit this because it would be unconstitutional, but it appears that Ream is now China’s second permanent overseas military deployment after Djibouti,” he said, adding that “the simplest explanation is usually the correct one”.
“The housing and other facilities in the northern half of the base appear to be constructed to Chinese standards, right down to the basketball courts, and are likely housing a permanent Chinese presence.”
‘Regional countries will be concerned’
This year’s 15-day Golden Dragon exercise will involve 11 Cambodian vessels and three Chinese ships taking part in counterterrorism and humanitarian-relief drills, Cambodian military spokesman Major General Thong Solimo earlier told reporters.
“Cambodian-China exercises are not complex, and I’d be surprised if they needed five months to plan,” he said.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if the Chinese are training the Cambodians at Ream on operating larger warships … [and] also hoping to sell these warships to the Cambodians some time in the future.”
“Regional countries will be concerned if Chinese warships begin using Ream as a supply base to sustain their operations to patrol Vietnam’s southern waters or the South China Sea.”
Agreeing that a five-month stay was unusual, Timothy Heath, a senior international defence researcher at the Rand Corporation think tank in the US, said preparations for a joint exercise can usually be done in a few days or “weeks at the most”.
“However, there is little evidence that Cambodia will permit China to operate a US-style military base, since the two do not have an alliance and are unlikely to become allies,” he said.
There is little evidence that Cambodia will permit China to operate a US-style military base … More likely, Cambodia will give China generous access for ships and potentially aircraft to stop, rest, refuel, and resupply
“More likely, Cambodia will give China generous access for ships and potentially aircraft to stop, rest, refuel, and resupply for extended periods of time.”
Chhengpor Aun, a research fellow specialising in security at Cambodian think tank The Future Forum, said that Beijing’s regional priority remains to “contain and prevent a unified Southeast Asian front against its territorial claims in the South China Sea”.
Aun said the two countries’ current joint drills can be seen as China’s continued military commitment to Cambodia’s defence and security.
“Both sides will use the opportunity to reaffirm the continuity of mutual resolve to cement relations.”