The China-Cambodia Ream Port Joint Support and Training Center was officially inaugurated and put into operation on Saturday, which will support joint operations between the two militaries in areas such as counterterrorism, disaster prevention and relief, humanitarian assistance, and training, China's Ministry of National Defense announced in a statement.
A military affairs expert described this as a new model of cooperation between the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and foreign militaries, with both sides jointly building, utilizing, and maintaining the center.
Necessary personnel from both countries will be stationed at the site to ensure smooth operations, per the statement.
The center's establishment and operation are based on mutual respect and equal consultation between China and Cambodia. It complies with the domestic laws of both countries, relevant international laws, and established norms. The center is not aimed at any third party and aims to further strengthen practical military cooperation, enhance both militaries' capacity to fulfill international obligations, and contribute to global public security, according to the statement.
Zhang Junshe, a Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times on Saturday that based on the information from the Ministry of National Defense the center has two core functions: joint support and joint training.
The center will provide logistical support for counterterrorism, disaster relief, and humanitarian assistance operations undertaken by both sides, fulfilling international obligations and contributing to global public security, Zhang said.
The center will also host joint training exercises to enhance coordinated military operation capabilities of the two militaries, enabling them to jointly address regional security threats and uphold peace and stability, the expert said.
Responding to some claims that the center is the PLA's second overseas base after Djibouti, Zhang said the two are not exactly the same.
"Unlike the Djibouti support base, which is used and maintained by the PLA independently, the China-Cambodia joint center in Ream Port is built and used by both sides, and its smooth operations are maintained by both sides. In addition to logistical support, it also includes joint training functions, which help advance Cambodia's military modernization. This counters rumors from certain Western countries alleging that China is secretly building a PLA-exclusive naval base in Cambodia," Zhang noted.
However, both the Djibouti base and the Cambodia center share one key trait, they are both established based on mutual respect and equal consultation between China and the related country, and are conducive to regional peace and stability, the expert said.
The center can also support PLA's overseas humanitarian rescue and disaster relief operations. In the event of sudden disasters such as an earthquake or tsunami occurring in ASEAN countries near Cambodia, the PLA would be able to respond more rapidly and efficiently.
Zhang cited the example of the Djibouti base. After it entered operation, it effectively supported the PLA Navy's escort missions against piracy in the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia, as well as evacuation operations. During evacuation missions from Yemen and Sudan, PLA naval vessels also carried foreign nationals, providing public safety services to the international community. "It is foreseeable that the China-Cambodia joint center can also play a positive role in regional security affairs."
Based on the experience of the PLA's first overseas support base, the China-Cambodia Ream Port Joint Support and Training Center will not pose a threat to any country. On the contrary, it will contribute to regional peace, stability, and development, Zhang noted.
