China to supply warships to Cambodia as scrutiny over Ream naval base heightens

China will provide two warships to Cambodia in the latest sign of the increasingly close relationship between their militaries that has caused concern in the United States.

The ships will be the newly built Type 056 corvettes, a type of vessel that has previously spent months at the Ream naval base following a Chinese-funded upgrade.

Maly Socheata, a spokeswoman for Cambodia’s defence ministry, said the ships were being provided after Cambodia had requested Chinese support and could be delivered as early as next year.

“It is in the aim of strengthening the capacity and ability of Cambodia to protect and maintain peace, stability, security as well as for supporting search and rescue operations and other humanitarian activities,” she said.

“Cooperation has to comply with the goals and the principles of the Cambodian constitution, especially the protection of its sovereignty, integrity and independence.”