International Analysis

U.S. Warship Docks in Cambodia Near China-Funded Ream Base

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The USS Savannah docked in Sihanoukville, Cambodia for five days in the middle of December, making it the first U.S. military vessel to visit in eight years. Sihanoukville port is just 30 kilometers from the controversial Chinese-renovated Ream Naval Base, where two Chinese corvettes have been stationed for about a year, though Cambodia says the base is not an overseas Chinese naval base. The Cambodian government stated that the vessel's visit aims to “strengthen and expand the bonds of friendship as well as promote bilateral cooperation” between the two nations. U.S. and Cambodian sailors even engaged in a friendly beach volleyball match. Are there signs that Cambodia is now ready to open up to the U.S. and diversify from its focus on China for economic and security support? Our guests: Alex Tan - University of Canterbury, New Zealand, Professor of Political Science and International Relations - National Chengchi University Chair Professor of Political Science - Institute for Indo-Pacific Affairs, Founder and Principal Research Fellow Ronan Fu - Academia Sinica Institute of Political Science Assistant Research Fellow