On Monday, the Savannah, US Navy warship, reached at the Cambodian port of Sihanoukville on the Gulf of Thailand for five-day visit. This warship carries a crew of 103 and known as Littoral Combat Ship. This is a first such visit in last eight years to Cambodia and it signals the “reinvigoration of military-to-military cooperation” between Cambodia.
Cambodia is a close ally of China in Southeast Asia. The United States had strained relations with Cambodia for many years. Washington has reservations over its close ties with China and particularly access to a Cambodian naval base on the Gulf of Thailand near the Savannah docked. The US has been criticizing country for its political repression and human right violations, but this port call reflects a positive nudge towards often-strained relations.
In June, the US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin visited Cambodia and discussed opportunities for bilateral defense relations. However, Washington raised eyebrows over upgradation of Ream Naval Base and Beijing strategic interests in the area.
Controversy arose in 2019 when western media reported an agreement allowing China to use the base for 30 years and can post military personnel. Cambodian Ream base is near to Sihanoukville, it will provide easy access to the Malacca Strait a critical shipping path between the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean. Though Cambodian government denied such rumours.
Meanwhile in September, Cambodian Defense Ministry announced the arrival of two newly built warships Type 56 corvettes from China. The US remains concerned over growing funding for port’s expansion that indicate the special privileges for Beijing at the base.
Last week, the Cambodian Ministry of National Defense stated that the US scheduled for a port call. The Ministry aspired that it would “strengthen and expand the bonds of friendship as well as bilateral cooperation” between two countries.
