China’s Naval Base in Cambodia Large Enough to Dock Aircraft Carrier, Satellite Images Show

Sailors stand guard at the Cambodian Ream Naval Base in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, on July 26, 2019. Samrang Pring/Reuters

Construction of a Chinese-funded naval base in Ream, Cambodia, is nearly complete and includes a pier large enough to accommodate an aircraft carrier, according to satellite imagery released by a U.S.-based geospatial intelligence firm on July 24.

Satellite imagery shows that the development of the Chinese military naval station in Cambodia has progressed rapidly since August 2021, the firm, BlackSky, stated.

It would be China’s second known foreign naval base; the first is in the East African country of Djibouti.

The rapid pace of development makes it difficult to deny “the intentional velocity behind China’s overseas basing initiatives,” according to Craig Singleton, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.

“Cambodia’s receptivity to hosting China’s second overseas naval port increases Beijing’s strategic ability to project military power into the Indian Ocean,” he said in a statement from BlackSky.

Analysts also observed the development of a 38,000-square-meter (409,000-square-foot) artificial peninsula on the southern shore of the base and architecturally distinct Cambodian and Chinese military buildings, including a purported headquarters facility, barracks, and fuel storage areas.

Satellite imagery of the Chinese-built Ream pier in Cambodia captured by BlackSky on June 18, 2022. Courtesy of BlackSky

Satellite imagery of the Chinese military's naval base in Ream, Cambodia, captured by BlackSky on Feb. 5, 2023. Courtesy of BlackSky

Satellite imagery of the Chinese military naval base Ream pier in Cambodia captured by BlackSky on July 13, 2023. Courtesy of BlackSky

Mr. Singleton highlighted the similarity between the Ream pier and China’s military pier in Djibouti, as both structures are of the same size, with ample capacity to dock an aircraft carrier.

“There is a near-exact similarity between an angled deep-water pier located on the western shore of the Ream base and another military pier at the People’s Liberation Army [PLA] Support in Djibouti,” he said.

“Both main piers are 363 meters long [1,190 feet long] and large enough to support any ship in China’s naval arsenal, including the new 300-meter-long Type 003 Fujian aircraft carrier.”

Cambodia has confirmed that its naval base in Ream is “near completion.” However, Defense Ministry spokesman Chhum Socheat refuted claims that the base is intended for use by the Chinese military.

“We already declared that there is no Chinese military base there. We are just modernizing our military to reach a capable level in order to protect our territorial integrity,” the spokesman told AFP on July 25.

US Seeks Transparency

The United States had urged Cambodia to provide transparency about China’s role at its naval base, following reports that a new facility was being built for “the exclusive use” of the Chinese military there.

U.S. President Joe Biden (L) and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen speak as they attend the East Asia Summit Gala dinner in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on Nov. 12, 2022. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

During his visit to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, last year, U.S. President Joe Biden urged Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to ensure “full transparency” regarding Chinese military activities at the Ream naval base on Cambodia’s southern coast.

Cambodian Defense Minister Tea Banh has said that China funded the modernization of the Ream base, although the upgrade is for the benefit of Cambodia’s national defense, not the Chinese military.

“Ream naval base is small, therefore we need to upgrade our base to protect our nation, territory, and sovereignty,” Mr. Tea said during a groundbreaking event at the naval base on June 9, 2022.

He said the upgrade includes rehabilitation of the dry dock, pier, and slipway.

The Pentagon said in a 2021 report (pdf) that Cambodia demolished two U.S.-funded facilities at Ream after declining Washington’s offer to pay for the renovation of one of the facilities, “which suggests that Cambodia may have instead accepted assistance from the PRC to develop the base,” the report states, referring to the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

“The PRC has likely considered a number of countries, including Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, United Arab Emirates, Kenya, Seychelles, Tanzania, Angola, and Tajikistan, as locations for PLA facilities,” the report reads.

China is Cambodia’s biggest investor and closest political partner, whose assistance largely underpins the Southeast Asian nation’s economy. In February, China offered Cambodia a grant package valued at 300 million yuan (about $44 million) to support railway construction.