The demolition of a US-funded building at Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base has heightened concerns China will use the facility for access to the South China Sea from the Gulf of Thailand.
The razing of the building, revealed in new satellite imagery released by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies’ Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, is thought to have occurred between September 5-10.
The building was the Tactical Headquarters of the National Committee for Maritime Security. It was US-funded and equipped by Australia, according to a speech delivered by Deputy Prime Minister Tea Banh at the facility’s opening in August 2012.
