Current Context: On April 5, 2025, Cambodian PM Hun Manet inaugurated the expanded Ream Naval Base, developed with Chinese support, sparking global concern over China’s growing naval footprint.

About

• Located on Cambodia’s Gulf of Thailand coast, near Sihanoukville.
• Close to the Malacca Strait, a critical maritime chokepoint.
• Expansion funded and supported financially & technically by China.

Strategic Significance

• Proximity to Indo-Pacific sea lanes boosts China’s reach in Southeast Asia.
• May serve as a potential Chinese military outpost, despite Cambodian denial.

Satellite imagery shows Chinese warships at the base.