The United States expressed disappointment Wednesday that Cambodia is tearing down a U.S.-funded building used for a maritime security program, and voiced concern that the action may be linked to the possible use of a Cambodian naval base by China’s military.
“Such a military presence would negatively impact the U.S.-Cambodia bilateral relationship and be disruptive and destabilizing to the Indo-Pacific region,” the U.S. State Department said in a statement distributed Wednesday by the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh.
Controversy over the Ream Naval Base on the Gulf of Thailand erupted more than a year ago when The Wall Street Journal reported that an early draft of a reputed agreement seen by U.S. officials would allow China 30-year use of the base, where it would be able to post-military personnel, store weapons, and berth warships.
In full: https://www.voacambodia.com/a/us-expresses-concern-over-china-link-to-cambodian-base/5612447.html
