The government has denied a report that it will allow China to build a naval base at a port being built in Koh Kong province. Reuters
SCMP/AFP: ‘No foreign troops on Cambodian soil’: Prime Minister Hun Sen insists no China naval base being built
* The long-time leader, and Beijing ally, made comments on social media after receiving a letter from US Vice-President Mike Pence
* Rumours a Chinese naval base is under construction off Cambodia’s southwest coast have been swirling
Cambodia will not allow foreign military bases on its soil, strongman premier Hun Sen said Monday, swatting away US concerns about a possible Chinese naval site near hotly contested seas.
China has lavished billions of dollars in soft loans, infrastructure and investment on the poor Southeast Asian kingdom, gifting Prime Minister Hun Sen a fast growing economy that he wields as justification for his 33-year authoritarian rule.
In exchange Cambodia has been staunch China ally.
It has seeded disunity among the 10-member Asean bloc of Southeast Asian nations over a diplomatic resistance to Beijing’s aggression in the strategically pivotal South China Sea.
Rumours a Chinese naval base is under construction off Cambodia’s southwest coast have been swirling.
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Update #1: Cambodian PM says won't allow any foreign military base in his country -- Reuters
Update #2: Minister denies naval base report (Khmer Times)
WNU Editor: China has lent billions to Cambodia for infrastructure and development projects. I for one would not be surprised if there are other "strings" attached to these deals.