A British defense website says a naval base in Cambodia undergoing expansion work is for Chinese military use. Cambodia's leader has denied the report.

Cambodia has been enlarging Ream Naval Base with Chinese financial support. The Wall Street Journal reported in 2019 that the Cambodian government secretly concluded an agreement allowing China's military to use the naval base in return for the assistance.

Now, Naval Technology has published a series of analyses based on satellite images. It says they show pilings for a large, permanent pier extending into waters deep enough to service aircraft carriers.

Prime Minister Hun Sen on Thursday dismissed reports that China will station forces at the seaport, saying they defame Cambodia. He said China's military and forces from other nations will only be visitors at the base.

Cambodia's increasing dependence on China for economic development and the countries' growing security ties, including joint military training that started Monday, continue to raise suspicions among Western countries.