They fear that China has already swallowed the area up
In June, Cambodia announced that Ream Naval Base in Sihanoukville would soon be expanding. Ream Naval Base is undergoing a modernization project described by Cambodian government spokesperson Phay Siphan as a “cooperation between China and Cambodia,” and not a hosting of a foreign military power.” [i]
The project is said to include the construction of two new piers and dredging work that will deepen navigational lanes so that medium-sized ships can access the base. This is in addition to 36,900 uniforms to the Cambodian army. Despite this, Cambodia asserts there is no reason for concern because,
Cambodia just wants to further enhance its self-defense capabilities; protect peace, security and prosperity; counter terrorism and transnational crimes; and perform disaster relief and peacekeeping operations.” [ii]
The Washington Post reported that an anonymous Chinese official stated that “a portion of the base” would be utilized by “the Chinese military,” though not exclusively. This sparked concern among US officials who had previously offered assistance repairing Ream naval base in 2019. It is feared that China is attempting to expand its military presence in Cambodia. China and Cambodia both deny the allegations that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) military will be placed at the base. [iii]
Ream Naval BasePhoto by Dmitry Makeev/Wikimedia Commons
A local journalist stated, “Few residents get close to the base now.” Some locals are concerned about the mounting tension regarding the US’ belief that the Chinese are expanding the naval site to become a military hub for the PRC military. One taxi driver in Sihanoukville, where the base is located, remarked on the issue, saying, “I hope we don’t get dragged into an international conflict.” [iv]
Cambodia maintains its constitution “bars foreign military bases in the country.” [v]
References
[i] Sebastian Strangio, What the Cambodian Naval Base Brouhaha Overlooks, (Jun. 8, 2022)
[ii] Id.
[iv] Nikkei Asia, ‘Swallowed’ by China: Cambodia’s Ream base expansion raises alarm, (Aug. 28, 2022)
[iii] Khmer Times, ‘Be transparent on China-backed base project‘, (Aug. 23, 2022)
[v] Nikkei Asia, ‘Swallowed’ by China: Cambodia’s Ream base expansion raises alarm, (Aug. 28, 2022)
Churches now see the number of alarming acts of hostility go up-A new study says CA faces most cases
Rise in Hostility Against Churches in California: A Concerning Trend A recent study by the Family Research Council (FRC) reveals an alarming increase in acts of hostility against churches in California. The study, "Hostility Against Churches Is on the Rise in the United States", analyzed incidents from January to November 2023. It identified 436…
Is your every action on Carnival Cruise's website being captured? This new lawsuit sends warning, says yes
In a surprising turn of events, Carnival Corp., one of the world's largest cruise line operators, is now facing a consolidated wiretapping suit in California Court. The Case is India Price et al. v. Carnival Corporation. The Allegations The allegations come from website users claiming that Carnival has secretly wiretapped their electronic communications. This class action lawsuit, […]
PayPal's New Sticky Situation: Honey Accused Of Massive Creator Exploitation
Picture this: You build a successful online business. Then, a big tech company swoops in and takes your profits. That's what Instagram influencer Claudia Jayne Young and many others say PayPal's Honey is doing. Key Points The Sweet Turned Sour: Honey's Sticky Situation On January 3, 2025, Young filed a class-action lawsuit. She claims, Through…
The ESA is now preparing to unveil a new inflatable lunar base even though NASA first shared plans for a moon base camp
The European Space Agency recently announced that it plans to unveil a novel concept, an inflatable Lunar Base. On Sep. 1, the European Space Agency (ESA) posted an article titled System study of proposed inflatable moon base. In it, they envision a "moon settlement" created from "semi-buried inflatable habitats." An Austrian inflatable structures specialist "performed a […]
Baller Button: Really Convenient Value or Profit for Inequality?
What if you could pay to skip the line at your favorite restaurant? The "Baller Button" at Lighthouse Bagels & Deli allows you to do just that! For a $50 tip, you can push your order to the front of the line, bypassing those who are unwilling or unable to pay the cost. Are these "skip-the-line" passes…
