 |
| Satellite image from Planet Labs PBC shows a Cambodian naval base in Ream, Cambodia, on 25 April 2022 |
Zhao also emphasized that the cooperation between Beijing and Phnom Penh has set a good example in building a new type of international relationship and community with a shared future for mankind. Zhao then reminded that unlike China, which only has one foreign base, namely in the East African country of Djibouti, the US operates more than 800 military bases abroad.
Read Also: 4 Russian Commanders Reportedly Killed In 4 Days in Ukraine
He also denounced Washington for having the world's largest defense budget; almost always engage in wars abroad, interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, and send military aircraft and warships to show strength at other countries' doors.
“Who on earth is undermining global and regional security and stability and spreading disinformation? Anyone can know," said the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman. Zhao also referred journalists to comments from the Cambodian embassy in the United States, which called the claims in the report baseless accusations motivated to frame Cambodia's image in a negative light.
Read Also: Insulting the Prophet Muhammad SAW, Al-Qaeda Threatens to Prepare a Wave of Attacks in India
Earlier the Cambodian Embassy in the US said the Ream Naval base in the Gulf of Thailand was being renovated solely to strengthen Cambodia's naval capabilities, adding that the country's constitution prohibits hosting foreign military facilities.
Quoted from The Washington Post, an unnamed Western official, that China is secretly working to build its military facilities at Ream Naval Base in Cambodia.
The source said the project is seen as part of Beijing's efforts to increase its presence in the Indo-Pacific, which China sees as a legitimate and historic sphere of influence. The Ream Naval Base is located west of the South China Sea, where Beijing has overlapping territorial claims with several countries.