{"id":31810,"date":"2020-10-07T22:54:19","date_gmt":"2020-10-07T22:54:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/uncategorized\/2020\/10\/07\/us-state-department-expresses-concern-over-china-link-to-cambodian-naval-base\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T19:42:55","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T19:42:55","slug":"us-state-department-expresses-concern-over-china-link-to-cambodian-naval-base","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/flashpoints\/2020\/10\/07\/us-state-department-expresses-concern-over-china-link-to-cambodian-naval-base\/","title":{"rendered":"US State Department expresses concern over China link to Cambodian naval base"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia \u2014 The United States expressed disappointment Wednesday that Cambodia is tearing down a U.S.-funded building <\/a>used for a maritime security program, and voiced concern that the action may be linked to the possible use of a Cambodian naval base by China\u2019s military.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSuch a military presence would negatively impact the U.S.-Cambodia bilateral relationship and be disruptive and destabilizing to the Indo-Pacific region,\u201d the U.S. State Department said in a statement distributed Wednesday by the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Controversy over the Ream Naval Base on the Gulf of Thailand erupted more than a year ago, when The Wall Street Journal reported that an early draft of a reputed agreement seen by U.S. officials would allow China 30-year use of the base<\/a>, where it would be able to post military personnel, store weapons and berth warships.<\/p>\n\n\n\t