Anthony Albanese concerned about reports of China’s military plans for Cambodia naval base

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Local media said the event would feature speeches by Cambodia Deputy PM and Defence Minister Tea Banh and China’s ambassador in Phnom Penh Wang Wentian.

Satellite images of three new buildings at Ream were revealed by the US-based Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative last year.

Satellite images captured of construction of Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base. Credit:CSIS Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative/Maxar.

The US also had earlier complained that its defence attache in Cambodia had not been given full access to the base when offered a tour last June following a visit to the country by Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman. Two US-backed facilities at Ream were demolished in 2020.

Cambodia’s US embassy told The Washington Post the “renovation of the base serves solely to strengthen the Cambodian naval capacities”.

But John Blaxland, professor of International Security and Intelligence Studies at the Australian National University, said Beijing’s tactics in Cambodia amounted to a “classic case of Chinese plausible deniability”.

“It’s very hard to hold China to account for the construction of bases that have dual application and are convertible for military purposes in very short order,” he said.

“Until that happens they can criticise those who call them on it as being conspiratorial and deeply distrustful in an undue manner.

“It’s classic Chinese behaviour of hiding its military intentions behind commercial enterprises.”

The Herald and The Age has sought comment from the Chinese embassy in Phnom Penh.

Satellite images captured of the China-backed redevelopment of Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base. Credit:CSIS Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative and Maxar.

China responds to Australian aircraft interception incident

Also on Tuesday, China’s Ministry of Defence said it had warned the Australian RAAF P-8 plane involved in an incident in May to turn around, before a Chinese jet released flares and small pieces of metal as the Australian plane was approaching Chinese bases in the South China Sea.

The incident, which occurred on May 26, sparked condemnation by Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles, who accused the Chinese fighter jet of causing a “very dangerous” situation. The Chinese J-16 accelerated and cut across the nose of the RAAF P-8, pulling up alongside at close distance to release the flares and chaff – small pieces of metal that then went into the plane’s engine. The damaged aircraft later returned to its Australian base.

Chinese Defence Ministry spokesman Tan Kefei said the Australian aircraft “seriously endangered” China’s sovereignty and security by carrying out low, close reconnaissance of the Paracel Islands.

The Paracels, known as Xisha in Chinese, are a group of more than 30 disputed islands in the South China Sea, claimed by China, Vietnam and Taiwan. China has militarised some Paracel Islands by building airstrips and harbours.

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“The Chinese military’s countermeasures were professional and safe, reasonable and lawful,” said Tan. “We have sternly warned the Australian side to immediately cease similar dangerous and provocative acts, strictly restrain the action of the navy and air force. Otherwise, it will bear all the serious consequences.”

Marles said on Sunday that Australia would continue to conduct surveillance operations in the area.

“We have made representations to the Chinese government, but we will not be deterred from engaging in the activities, which we are entitled to under international law, in the future,” he said.

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