Two Japanese Navy ships, Bungo and Etajima, recently docked at the Reem Navy Base in Cambodia, marking the first foreign naval visit since the base’s recent upgrade funded by China. This development has raised concerns that the base could serve as a strategic post for the Chinese Navy in the Gulf of Thailand. Japan has been strengthening its ties with Cambodia to counter China’s increasing influence in the region, and the port call was also viewed as an attempt to alleviate U.S. concerns. The visit included a ceremony with Cambodian officials, emphasizing the importance of regional stability and open naval ports.
The worries regarding China’s presence emerged after a 2019 report suggested that a draft agreement would allow China military access to the base for 30 years. Despite this, Cambodian officials maintain that warships from friendly nations are welcome, contingent on certain conditions. Japan’s Defense Minister described the port call as a symbol of friendship and a step toward a transparent naval presence.
The visit occurred shortly after Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Cambodia, aimed at strengthening ties in Southeast Asia. The Japanese Embassy highlighted the historical significance of the event for Japan-Cambodia relations and underscored Japan’s commitment to a free and open international order. The USS Savannah, the first U.S. military ship to visit Cambodia in eight years, had made a call at a nearby port last December.
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