Chinese warships have docked at Cambodia's key strategic naval base. The Ream Naval Base is undergoing expansion with Chinese financial support. The US suspects that China's military is using the base.

Cambodia's defense minister posted photos of his visit to the base earlier this month. Vessels believed to be Chinese warships are visible in the images.

The naval base in southern Cambodia is near the South China Sea where Beijing and Southeast Asian nations have territorial disputes. The Wall Street Journal reported in 2019 that Cambodia secretly concluded an agreement allowing China's military to use the base in return for the assistance. Phnom Penh denied the report.

Earlier this month, Reuters news agency quoted a US State Department spokesperson as expressing "serious concerns" about Beijing's plans for exclusive control over portions of the base.

The move comes as Cambodia is increasingly dependent on China. The country's economy is growing due in large part to China's financial support. Beijing is the largest investor in Cambodia.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet appears to be placing a lot of importance on ties with China as did his father and predecessor, Hun Sen.