ANI
23 Jan 2022, 16:33 GMT+10
Phnom Penh [Cambodia], January 23 (ANI): China's pursuit of a Cambodian naval base causes geopolitical tension as Beijing has started to dredge in the waters surrounding Cambodia's Ream naval base.
Work to deepen the bay will mark a milestone in upgrades to the site, where the shallow waters can currently only accommodate small patrol vessels, according to Nikkei Asia.
Further, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)'s Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative on Saturday released a January 16 satellite image showing two clamshell dredgers just off the coast of Ream accompanied by barges for collecting dredged sand.
The vessels were also visible in a photo uploaded to Facebook by the Cambodian Minister of National Defense Tea Banh, who visited the site on the Gulf of Thailand on January 18 this year.
China is funding upgrades at Ream naval base including an expansion of the port and the development of a ship repair facility.
On the other hand, US has raised concerns that China is planning to host military assets at the base.
In 2019, the US had seen a draft agreement between Cambodia and China that allowed Beijing to use Ream for 30 years, as reported by Wall Street Journal.
Earlier, in June last year, US senior diplomat Wendy Sherman visited Phnom Penh and told Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen that Washington had "serious concerns" about China's "military presence" at the site.
Onshore, work has continued on the expansion, with several locations within the main administrative center in the southwest of the site having been cleared.
Satellite images also show clearing for roads and a possible fence near a Vietnam-funded hospital and a small building and several concrete lots have also appeared along the coast.
Taken together, the scale of recent demolition and land clearing, and especially the new dredging activity, indicates that the base is being prepared for significant infrastructure upgrades, CSIS report mentions. (ANI)Get a daily dose of Cardiff Star news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Cardiff Star.
More InformationLONDON, U.K.: At least 13 people are believed to have taken their own lives as a result of the U.K.'s Post Office scandal, in which...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Former British prime minister Rishi Sunak will return to Goldman Sachs in an advisory role, the Wall Street...
London [UK], July 14 (ANI): The third Test of the five-match series at Lord's between England and India is evenly poised after the...
London [UK], July 14 (ANI): Actor Preity Zinta and her husband Gene Goodenough enjoyed the Wimbledon final in London on Sunday. Taking...
Aix-les-Bains [France], July 14 (ANI): Aditi Ashok had a weak final round as she shot 73 in the final round at the Amundi Evian Championship....
According to the China Household Electrical Appliances Association, exports of air conditioners to the EU and Britain totaled 1.39...
LONDON, U.K.: American consumers and businesses could soon face the highest overall tariff burden in more than a century, according...
The family of Sayfollah Saif Musallet, a 20-year-old American citizen who was beaten to death by Israeli settlers in the occupied West...
CONCORD, New Hampshire: A federal judge in New Hampshire issued a crucial ruling on July 10 against President Donald Trump's executive...
DUBAI, U.A.E.: A cargo ship flagged under Liberia, known as the Eternity C, sank in the Red Sea following an attack executed by Yemen's...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The Trump administration has started sending some weapons to Ukraine again, just a week after the Pentagon told officials...
ECAULT BEACH, France: On clear days, the white cliffs of the United Kingdom, are visible from northern France, where men, women, and...