China has signed a secret deal to gain exclusive rights to a Cambodian naval base, The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday.
Chinese and Cambodian officials denied the plans, but U.S. and allied officials familiar with the matter told the Journal the agreement was signed this spring.
The outlet reported that an early draft seen by U.S. officials shows the agreement would grant China access to the Cambodian naval installation in the Gulf of Thailand for 30 years, with automatic renewal every 10 years after that.