By Olawale Abaire, Warrior Editorial Fellow
In a move that has drawn global attention, two Chinese warships, the Jingangshan amphibious warfare ship and the Qijiguang training ship, recently docked at a commercial port in Cambodia, north of the Ream Naval Base. Due to a China-backed expansion project, this location has been the subject of much speculation. Observers, including the United States, have expressed concerns that this could serve as a new strategic point for the Chinese navy.
This event, marked by the onlookers waving Cambodian and Chinese flags at the Sihanoukville Port, symbolizes China’s promise of ‘friendship’ to Cambodia. However, it also raises questions about China’s strategic intentions in the region, given the port’s proximity to the Ream Naval Base, where China has funded a significant expansion project. The Gulf of Thailand, adjacent to the South China Sea, is a region that China claims almost entirely. This would provide China with convenient access to the Malacca Strait, a globally significant shipping lane.
The Jingangshan and the Qijiguang are scheduled to participate in naval exercises from the Ream base from May 24-27. These exercises are part of the ongoing Golden Dragon exercises, a regular event between the two countries. The Jingangshan is a Type 071 amphibious transport dock ship, boasting a displacement of 25,000 tons and a length of 210 meters. It is powered by four SEMT Pielstick 16 PC2.6 V400 diesel engines, enabling it to reach a maximum speed of 25 knots. The ship can carry 15-20 armored vehicles, 500-800 troops, and 4 air-cushioned landing craft. Its armament includes an AK-176 76 mm gun and four AK-630 30 mm close-in weapon systems.
On the other hand, the Qijiguang war ship is a Type 680 training ship, another impressive vessel. It has a displacement of 9,000 tons, a length of 163 meters, and is powered by two SEMT-Pielstick diesels. The ship can reach a maximum speed of 22 knots. It carries a crew of 450, along with 50 instructors and 400 cadets. The Qijiguang is armed with a 76 mm single H/PJ-26 and two 30 mm H/PJ-17 guns.
The docking of these two warships in Cambodia is not just a display of China’s naval prowess, but also a strategic move that has implications for regional security. The United States and other countries have been closely watching this development, concerned that the Ream Naval Base could become a new outpost for the Chinese navy on the Gulf of Thailand.
China’s ambassador to Cambodia, Wang Wentian, addressed the concerns surrounding the Ream Naval Base, stating that the Chinese navy brings “friendship” and “cooperation” wherever it sails. He further emphasized that the collaboration between the Chinese and Cambodian armies contributes to the security of both nations and the region as a whole.
The Ream Naval Base became a topic of controversy in 2019 when The Wall Street Journal reported that a preliminary draft of a supposed agreement, seen by U.S. officials, would permit China to use the base for 30 years. This would enable China to station military personnel, store weapons, and dock warships.
However, Cambodia’s then-Prime Minister Hun Sen refuted the existence of such an agreement, citing that the Cambodian constitution prohibits the establishment of foreign military bases on its soil. He did, however, welcome visiting ships from all nations. Recent tensions between China and the Philippines and the escalating situation in Taiwan have further complicated the geopolitical landscape. The U.S., bound by a 1951 U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty, is obligated to defend the Philippines if Filipino forces come under attack in disputed waters. This has led to a strengthening of military ties between the U.S. and the Philippines.
At this juncture, the world will be watching closely as these two Chinese warships participate in the Golden Dragon exercises from the Ream base, a clear demonstration of China’s naval power and its commitment to its ‘friendship’ with Cambodia.
