Phnom Penh – The Cambodian military and government officials have denied a report claiming that a Beijing-backed development project would pave the way for a Chinese naval base in the country.
The online newspaper Asia Times reported earlier this week that the deep-water port, which is being developed by China’s Union Development Group (UDG) in Koh Kong province, could host Chinese frigates and destroyers.
But Cambodia’s defense department spokesman, Gen. Chhum Socheat, denied that the port would be used as a de facto Chinese naval base in the future, which would be illegal under Cambodia’s constitution.
In full: https://www.voanews.com/a/cambodia-says-beijing-backed-project-will-not-include-chinese-naval-base/4662652.html
