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'We can't hide anything' say Cambodians at alleged China base


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'We can't hide anything' say Cambodians at alleged China base

By Prak Chan Thul

 

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Sailors stand guard near patrol boats at the Cambodian Ream Naval Base in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, July 26, 2019. REUTERS/Samrang Pring

 

REAM, Cambodia (Reuters) - Trying to rebut a report of a secret deal to give China access to a naval base, Cambodia’s defense ministry took reporters to see the torpid jetty and outbuildings on Friday.

 

The United States has also voiced concern that the Ream naval base in southern Cambodia could host forces from China, the closest foreign ally of long-serving authoritarian Prime Minister Hun Sen.

 

“You journalists. Open your eyes and noses. Today we show you everything,” said defense ministry spokesman Chhum Socheat. “We can’t hide anything ... because there are satellites.”

 

The Wall Street Journal said on Sunday that China had reached a secret deal with Cambodia this year to let it place forces at Ream. The report cited U.S. and allied officials.

 

Cambodia denied any such agreement and said hosting foreign forces would be against Cambodia’s constitution.

 

At Ream, a half dozen gray-painted Cambodian navy patrol boats were moored by the jetty. Sailors in military fatigues stood to attention as the press bus passed. Reporters were not allowed to get off.

 

The defense ministry pointed out that there was no sign of a Chinese presence or of any construction.

 

Reporters were also taken to a building where a sign proclaimed: “This building was given by the people of the United State of America an expression of friendship and cooperation.” Inside were U.S.-donated speed boats with guns.

 

The United States expressed concern to Cambodia over plans for Ream after its offer to pay for renovations at the facility was turned down by the Cambodian government in June.

 

“This causes us to wonder if the Cambodian leadership’s plans for Ream Naval Base include the possible hosting of foreign military assets and personnel,” U.S. Embassy spokeswoman Emily Zeeberg said in a statement.

 

Chhum Socheat said the building in question would be handed to the Cambodian navy, not to the Chinese.

 

Giving China access to facilities in Cambodia would boost its ability to assert contested territorial claims in the South China Sea, challenging U.S. allies in Southeast Asia.

 

The U.S. embassy said it was also monitoring media reports about the potential use of a resort by China.

 

Some 70 km (40 miles) northwest of Ream, a Chinese company is building a runway at the Dara Sakor resort that is capable of taking some of the world’s biggest planes to serve what for now consists of a rundown casino and a golf course.

 

China has poured billions of dollars of aid into Cambodia while private Chinese money has gone into real estate developments, factories and casinos.

 

The town of Sihanoukville, some 10 km (6 miles) from Ream, has been transformed by Chinese investment and the arrival of tens of thousands of Chinese workers and visitors.

 

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-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-07-26
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'' The United States expressed concern to Cambodia over plans for Ream after its offer to pay for renovations at the facility was turned down by the Cambodian government in June. ''.....it must be really disappointing for the US to realise some countries aren't for sale, let's just hope Cambodia doesn't discover oil or that dodgy ''democracy'' might need some looking at ????

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1 hour ago, fasteddie said:

'' The United States expressed concern to Cambodia over plans for Ream after its offer to pay for renovations at the facility was turned down by the Cambodian government in June. ''.....it must be really disappointing for the US to realise some countries aren't for sale, let's just hope Cambodia doesn't discover oil or that dodgy ''democracy'' might need some looking at ????

hate to disappoint you but cambodia is definitely for sale.

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Correct. Cannot hide anything.

 

100's of Chinese construction workers in Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville.

Condo blocks with Chinese names - for Chinese.

Not all, but....

Casinos - Chinese only.

Shops/restaurants - Chinese only Khmers are not allowed.

No need to hide. Cambodia is in the Chinese pocket.

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Why do

15 minutes ago, atyclb said:

at last count in how many countries does the usa have military presence and or bases?

I am thinking that is why the USA have been quiet about Thailand not being a democracy for the last 5 years! Usually they would make a big fuss. Thailand is their only hope of a partner in SE ASia

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ChiComs influence in SEA might explain the rising Baht, and the increased number of hoops immigration wants us (expats) to jump through.  If ChiComs plan to dominate—they certainly don’t need western expats around to muck up their colony.

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Quote:-

"the arrival of tens of thousands of Chinese workers and visitors"

Do they have to have visas and/or work permits for this "Chinese Special Economic Zone" or do they "go as they please"?

Pity the Cambodian Government does not issue TM30's!

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23 minutes ago, Bundooman said:
2 hours ago, atyclb said:

at last count in how many countries does the usa have military presence and or bases?

Irrelevant. whatever the number is, there's one less now!

 

i guess the inferred point i was making is the usa has about 87 various internat locations with military presence yet the usa gets bent out of shape when china does the same thing.

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2 hours ago, ThaiBunny said:
2 hours ago, atyclb said:

at last count in how many countries does the usa have military presence and or bases?

It's been rightly said, China has to buy its friends, the US gains them willingly

 

aside from brand new suv's being airflown on military cargo planes to give as gifts to various afgan tribal leaders, etc etc.

 

you might win a prize for naivety 

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20 hours ago, atyclb said:

 

i guess the inferred point i was making is the usa has about 87 various internat locations with military presence yet the usa gets bent out of shape when china does the same thing.

yea, but this thread is about CHINA   NOT the us.

why do people always seem to bring the us into discussions?
 

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4 hours ago, phuketrichard said:
On 7/27/2019 at 11:52 AM, atyclb said:

 

i guess the inferred point i was making is the usa has about 87 various internat locations with military presence yet the usa gets bent out of shape when china does the same thing.

yea, but this thread is about CHINA   NOT the us.

why do people always seem to bring the us into discussions?
 

 

could it be "relevance" ?

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this is off topic a little, but surely one of the main reasons the chinese have an interest in cambodia and have chosen to build multiple casinos there is because cambodia uses US$. the casinos are for the chinese to launder their money into US$, which also explains the large gangster presence

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