New facilities at a Cambodian naval base are nearly complete with the help of Chinese financial support.



Construction work on warehouses and a dock to repair Cambodian navy ships has been underway for several years at Ream Naval Base in the country's southwest. It sits in a strategic location in the South China Sea.



Sources tell NHK the work is almost done, and a ceremony to mark the occasion is planned for early April. Prime Minister Hun Manet is expected to take part, as are diplomatic delegations.



US media have reported that Cambodia has secretly concluded an agreement to allow China's military to use the facility in return for aid. China is already a major investor in the country. The US government has expressed concerns about China's growing influence in the region.



Cambodia indicated its intention last December to invite Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force to make the first port call after construction is finished. Cambodia appears to be trying to strike a diplomatic balance with other powers in the region.