In August 2024, the arrival of a Chinese warship at Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base sparked significant geopolitical concerns in Southeast Asia. This event, taking place amidst escalating U.S.-China rivalry, represents a pivotal development in military cooperation between China and Cambodia.
Although Chinese and Cambodian officials assert that their cooperation is transparent and solely focused on defensive purposes, the international community, particularly the United States and neighbouring ASEAN countries, regards it with suspicion. The establishment of a Chinese military presence at Ream raises inquiries about regional security dynamics, freedom of navigation, and the balance of power in Southeast Asia. This essay argues that the heightened Chinese military presence at Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base poses a potential threat to regional stability, complicates ASEAN’s unity and centrality, and reflects China’s strategic ambition to bolster its influence in Southeast Asia.
