US raises concerns over Chinese military presence in Cambodian naval base

Washington, Jun 1 (UNI) The US State Department has expressed its concerns regarding the presence of
Chinese forces at a naval base of Cambodia.
The State Department issued a statement in this regard, this statement closely follows a meeting between Deputy Secretary Wendy Sherman and Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen in Phnom Penh on Tuesday.
“Deputy Secretary Sherman expressed serious concerns about PRC’s military presence and construction of facilities at Ream Naval Base on the Gulf of Thailand,” the release said. “She sought clarification on the demolition of two US-funded buildings at Ream without notification or explanation and observed that a PRC military base in Cambodia would undermine its sovereignty, threaten regional security, and negatively impact US-Cambodia relations.” Sherman called on the Cambodian authorities to maintain an independent and balanced foreign policy, added the State Department added.
During her Cambodia visit Sherman also met with representatives from civil society and the leader of the Cambodia National Rescue Party Kem Sokha, said the State Department.