US presses Cambodia over possible Chinese military presenceThe Sihanoukville Autonomous Port is seen in Sihanoukville, Cambodia Sept 28, 2017. The US Defense Department suspects Cambodia may be planning to host China's military. A letter to the Cambodian defence minister, seen by Reuters, reflects concern in Washington about the Chinese military presence in Southeast Asia, where China is increasingly assertive over its contested claims in the South China Sea. The Chinese Embassy in Phnom Penh did not respond to a request for comment on the letter or any plan for Chinese forces at Ream Naval Base. Ream Naval Base, Cambodia's largest, is southeast of the port city of Sihanoukville, centre of a Chinese-led casino boom and a Chinese-run Special Economic Zone.

Source: Bangkok Post July 01, 2019 11:02 UTC