Rumors of Cambodia destroying US bases in military bases for China: Prime Minister Hun Sen spoke up

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In the context of international public opinion stirring up speculation that Cambodia's demolition of the US-funded construction in the Ream military base is for China to "exclusively use" this base, Prime Minister Hun Sen said "once and for all".

“We must speak clearly, once and for all about the Ream naval port issue. A few weeks ago, an ambassador said that we demolished a US-sponsored facility for China to use it and I don't know anything about it. I emphasize that, in Cambodia, everything must be reported to the Prime Minister as me ", Mr. Hun Sen opened his speech on June 6.

“Cambodia never allows any country to use military bases on our land. This is against the constitution, ”said Mr. Hun Sen.

Previously, the US Pentagon had expressed concern about the US facility in the Ream base in the Gulf of Thailand being demolished by Cambodia. The US also asked Cambodia to explain this action.

"We are concerned that Cambodia's demolition of the Ream base will pave the way for Chinese military personnel or weapons to operate in this area," announced the Pentagon.

Cambodian Defense Minister Tea Banh said that the US-funded facility built in 2012, but is now degraded.

Cambodia said it has plans for a new military port project. Rear Admiral Mey Dina, spokesman for the Royal Cambodian Ream Naval Base, said: “The demolition of the US-funded building is because it is old, and is at the position of the naval base building a large, modern military port ".

Another Cambodian military official said the current military port at the Ream naval base was only suitable for "small and short" warships.

In July 2019, the Wall Street Journal reported that Cambodia had secretly made a deal with Beijing so that the Chinese military could use the Ream base. Both Cambodia and China have denied this information.

The Ream naval base in the Gulf of Thailand has long been viewed as a Chinese scrutiny and a cause of particular concern to the US. Cambodia's demolition of a US-sponsored military facility was only detected by observers via satellite imagery, according to SCMP.

“Cambodia is independent and sovereign. We never associate with one side against the other nor allow foreign countries to base military bases on the territory, ”said Mr. Hun Sen.

“We have the right to do what we want, including demolishing and rebuilding facilities in military bases. We welcome the United States, France, Japan or China and other countries for contributions and donations. To be honest, we need money from China to build military bases. But we welcome the help of all interested parties, ”said Mr. Hun Sen.

"We cannot consider the new base as Chinese work just because it is funded by China," said the Cambodian Prime Minister.