Royal Cambodian Navy personnel look on as the USS Savannah combat ship docks in Cambodia’s southern port city of Sihanoukville on December 16, 2024. Agence France-Presse
SIHANOUKVILLE, Cambodia — A US warship docked in Cambodia on Monday, just kilometers away from a Chinese-renovated naval base, in the first American military port call to one of Beijing’s closest regional allies in eight years.
In a press conference late Tuesday afternoon, Philippine Seven Corp. (PSC) head of finance and investor relations Lawrence de Leon said they have 4,022 stores to date.
The Marcos administration aims to reduce the poverty incidence between 8.8 and nine percent by 2028.
Washington’s relationship with Phnom Penh has been deteriorating for years, with China pouring billions of dollars into infrastructure investment under Cambodia’s former leader Hun Sen.
Article continues after this advertisementAFP reporters saw Cambodian navy personnel welcoming the USS Savannah’s arrival to the southern port city of Sihanoukville on Monday.
FEATURED STORIES GLOBALNATION Island Cove’s jobless: The other side of the Pogo ban GLOBALNATION Mary Jane Veloso transferred to Jakarta ahead of return to PH GLOBALNATION US warship docks in Cambodia amid China naval base concernsREAD: US vs China in Southeast Asia
Cambodia’s defense ministry said on Friday that the five-day visit aims to “strengthen and expand friendship” and “promote bilateral cooperation”.
Article continues after this advertisementSince 2022, China has been funding the renovation of the Ream naval base, some 30 kilometers (20 miles) from Sihanoukville, which was originally built partly using US funds.
Article continues after this advertisementWashington has said the Ream base could give Beijing a key strategic position in the Gulf of Thailand near the disputed South China Sea, which China claims almost in its entirety.
Article continues after this advertisementREAD: China ‘helping’ Cambodia with naval base upgrade-foreign ministry
Cambodian leaders have repeatedly denied that the base is for use by any foreign power.
Article continues after this advertisementChinese warships first docked at the 363-meter (1,190-foot) pier in December last year. Two berthed at Sihanoukville port in May as part of Beijing’s biggest joint military drills with Cambodia.
The Chinese military unveiled machine gun-equipped “robodogs” this year at the annual joint exercises, known as the “Golden Dragon” drills.
In early 2017, Cambodia scrapped similar joint exercises with US forces that had been held for the previous seven years.
Cambodia’s defence ministry said 27 US navy vessels have visited the nation since 2007, although the USS Savannah’s visit with 103 crew members was the first docking in eight years.
The ship’s senior officers will meet with the Ream base’s commander.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin visited Cambodia in June to reset ties with the staunch China ally.
online casinos that accept paypalCambodia’s foreign minister Prak Sokhonn and the US embassy’s Bridgette Walker last week hailed the “reinvigoration” of military ties between the two countries.
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The US Navy has declined to comment on the visit.hiuslots
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