PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) – A significant expansion of the Ream Naval Base in Cambodia, funded by China, has been completed, raising concerns over Beijing's increasing military influence in the region. Officials announced that a Japanese vessel will be the first foreign warship to make a port call at the newly upgraded facility, set to be inaugurated on April 2 by Prime Minister Hun Manet.

The upgraded Ream Naval Base features a new pier capable of accommodating larger naval vessels, a dry dock for repairs, and additional components to bolster its operational capabilities. According to Maj. Gen. Thong Solimo, the spokesman for Cambodia's armed forces, prioritizing Japanese warships for the initial visit is seen as a sign of strong cooperation, relations, and mutual trust.

The groundbreaking for the port project took place in 2022, which led to increased anxiety from the United States regarding the potential for the base to transform into a strategically important outpost for the Chinese navy in the Gulf of Thailand. This Gulf is adjacent to the South China Sea, a critical waterway that China claims almost entirely, prompting the U.S. to conduct military maneuvers to challenge those claims and assert that the waters remain international.

Fears regarding China's presence at Ream Naval Base intensified last year when Chinese warships docked at the newly built pier for extended periods. Additionally, two Japanese destroyers that visited Cambodia were redirected to a different local facility, raising questions about Cambodia's military alignment.

In light of the upcoming Japanese port call, some analysts believe Cambodia is attempting to project a more inclusive approach to international naval cooperation. Euan Graham, a senior defense analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, noted this move seems to be a conscious effort by Cambodia to indicate that the Ream Naval Base is not exclusively intended for Chinese military use.

The invitation extended to Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force was confirmed, although it was noted that specific operational details remain undisclosed for security reasons. China remains Cambodia's largest investor and closest political ally, and its navy has been rapidly expanding while assertively pursuing its maritime claims in recent years.

Concerns over the agreement that could allow China to utilize the Ream base for 30 years, including posting military personnel and storing weapons, were reported by The Wall Street Journal in 2019. Though such an agreement was denied by the Cambodian government, fears have persisted due to the significant Chinese funding of the base's expansion and the repeated docking of Chinese warships.

In September, Cambodia's Defense Ministry announced that China would provide two warships of the same type that have docked at the Ream base. On Tuesday, Defense Ministry spokesman Gen. Chhum Socheat reiterated that the facility would be open to the U.S. and other nations, stating, "All warships from friendly countries are allowed to dock at the new pier but they must comply to our conditions first," without elaborating on what those conditions might entail.