Description: Cambodia hosted Chinese warships in the newly reformed and reconstructed Ream Naval Base which was sponsored by China earlier this year. Military officials from both sides have stated the exercises were focused on joint anti – terrorism operations and developing mechanisms for disaster relief. The Ream Naval Base previously hosted Japanese and Vietnamese ships in another round of joint military exercises, while the US appeal to Cambodia to conduct such exercises was denied. China has become the largest economic and strategic enabler of Cambodia in the past couple of years exceedingly supporting the country’s economy while countering US influence in the region.
Impact: China and Cambodia have solidified their alliance earlier this year with the reenactment of operations in the Ream Naval Base which signaled closer cooperation and allowed China access to the strategically significant Gulf of Thailand. Cambodia has solidified its partnership with China defying the US appeals for hosting their military assets which emphasized their strategic positioning towards China. China continues to develop and bolster crucial military and economic alliances across Southeastern Asia as both a response to the US tariff policies and increased naval and military presence in the Indo – Pacific, especially in the South China Sea.