AKP Phnom Penh, June 08, 2022 --

Under the grant aid from China, the construction project for dry dock, pier and slipway rehabilitation in the modernisation centre of Ream Naval Base in Preah Sihanouk province kicked off this morning 

The groundbreaking ceremony was presided over Samdech Pichey Sena Tea Banh, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the National Defence and Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia H.E.  Wang Wentian. 

Speaking on the occasion, Samdech Tea Banh totally rejected the Washington Post’s report, saying that the modernisation of Ream Naval Base will not for China, but for the National Defence of Cambodia. 

“Ream Naval Base is small, therefore we need to upgrade our base to protect our nation, territory and sovereignty. Ream Naval Base’s modernisation project is an important strategy for the development of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces in accordance with the Ministry of National Defence's White Paper,” he underlined.

“We want dry dock, pier and slipway rehabilitation as now, the medium ships cannot anchor in Ream, we have to float at the sea, and we don’t have any mean to repair ships,” he continued.

The modernisation of Ream Naval Base is in line with the Constitution, and Cambodia has no intention other than to upgrade its ability to defend itself against the pressures and geopolitical challenges facing the world, the defence minister added.

Cambodia welcomes all assistance from other countries for development in accordance with the Cambodian Constitution and for the common benefit, he said.  

“As a strong pillar of the iron-clad partnership, China-Cambodia military cooperation is in the fundamental interests of our two nations and two peoples. The Ream Naval Base Upgrading Project is a result of mutual respect and equal consultation between the two sides, in line with domestic laws of both countries and relevant international laws and practices. It is not targeted at any third party, and will be conducive to even closer practical cooperation between the two militaries, better fulfillment of international obligations and provision of international public goods,” said for his part H.E. Wang Wentian.  

The project, once completed, will significantly drive forward the modernisation of the RCAF Navy, effectively enhance the capability of the RCAF to safeguard Cambodia’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity, he stressed.

It will be monument of the iron-clad friendship and cooperation between the two militaries and a major platform for the RCAF to strengthen international exchanges and cooperation, the ambassador said.

By Heng Panha