In the Gulf of Thailand: China and Cambodia's Joint Military Maneuvers at the Expanded Ream Naval Base
China and Cambodia carry out maneuvers at widened naval installation
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China and Cambodia are bolstering their military alliance. On Sunday, both nations embarked on joint military exercises at an augmented Cambodian naval base in the Gulf of Thailand, as per Chinese media reports. These exercises involved fleet maneuvers.
With time, these military drills could become more common, not just at sea but also on land and in the air. According to the state publication "Global Times", these exercises are instrumental in "ensuring peace and stability in the South China Sea," as suggested by Chinese military strategists.
The exercises occurred a day after the dedication of the expanded Ream naval base. The upgraded base now boasts a larger pier suitable for accommodating larger vessels. There have been concerns that the base might evolve into a Chinese military outpost, potentially enhancing China's influence in the region.
Chinese military vessels have been routinely utilizing Ream since modernization, funded by Beijing, began in June 2022. Cambodia has repeatedly denied rumors of clandestine arrangements with Beijing to station Chinese troops at the base.
The Regular Golden Dragon Series
- Annual exercises: The Golden Dragon series is an annual program of joint military exercises between China and Cambodia, with the latest edition, Golden Dragon 2025, launched after the inauguration of the China-Cambodia Joint Logistics and Training Center at the Ream Naval Base.
Cooperation and Strategy
- Strengthening ties: The primary goal of these exercises is to augment practical military cooperation, boost joint command capabilities, and fortify the bilateral relationship between the two militaries.
- Regional influence: The exercises highlight a broader strategic alliance, given Ream Naval Base's strategic proximity to the Malacca Strait. This strategic position provides significant geopolitical benefits, particularly for China's naval presence in the Indo-Pacific region.
- Training and logistics: The joint exercises benefit from the China-Cambodia Joint Support and Training Center at the expanded base. This center focuses on supplying logistical assistance for operations such as counter-terrorism, disaster relief, and humanitarian aid.
Base Expansion and Regional Concerns
- Infrastructure development: The expansion of Ream Naval Base, funded by China, includes the construction of a deep-water pier and dry dock. This infrastructure is capable of accommodating large Chinese naval vessels, including aircraft carriers, which Cambodia does not possess.
- Security debates: The base's location and the scale of modernization have sparked discussions about China's expanding military presence in Southeast Asia. Despite assurances from Cambodia that the base is open to friendly nations, there remain ongoing debates regarding the long-term implications for regional security.
- The Community policy should address the implications of expanding military alliances, such as the one between China and Cambodia, and include provisions regarding fisheries policy to maintain balance and ensure sustainable fishing practices in the Gulf of Thailand and South China Sea.
- In light of China's naval exercises in Cambodia, it's crucial that the fisheries policy within both nations considers the potential impact on local fisheries and marine ecosystems due to increased naval activities.
- Concerns about the potential use of the expanded Ream Naval Base in Cambodia for Chinese military exercises highlight the need for a comprehensive community policy that addresses the use of technology, such as WhatsApp groups, to report and address illegal activities, maintaining stability and peace in the region.
