美國稱柬埔寨對中國在其海軍基地的活動不透明

Recently Yahoo News on-line reported the following:

U.S. calls Cambodia opaque over Chinese activity at navy base

Wed., October 13, 2021, 6:42 a.m.

PHNOM PENH (Reuters) - The United States on Wednesday accused Cambodia of lacking transparency about Chinese construction activities at its biggest naval base, and urged the government to disclose to its people the full scope of Beijing's military involvement.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) on Wednesday made public what it said were satellite images https://bit.ly/2YK7bUW showing construction in August and September of three new buildings and the start of a new road.

U.S. embassy spokesperson Chad Roedemeier in a statement said that any foreign military presence at Ream would violate Cambodia's constitution and undermine regional security.

"The government of Cambodia has not been fully transparent about the intent, nature, and scope of this project or the role of the PRC military, which raises concerns about intended use of the naval facility," he said, referring to China.

"The Cambodian people deserve to know more about the project at Ream and to have a say in this type of military agreement, which has long term implications for their country."

Cambodia's ties with the United States have frayed in recent years over U.S. allegations its ruling party is persecuting its opponents, and concerns about China's growing influence.

A year ago, Cambodia said it had razed a U.S.-funded facility at the Ream naval base to allow for further expansion. The United States said Cambodia had a year earlier turned down its offer to repair the base.

Cambodia has repeatedly denied reports that it is planning to let China place its forces at the facility.

Such a move would be significant for China in a region where the United States has for decades maintained a regional presence through bases it once operated or joint exercises in countries like Thailand and the Philippines.

Phay Siphan, Cambodia's government spokesman, said Chinese construction at Ream was part of its development assistance.

"Our port is open to all when the construction is finished," Phay Siphan said, adding that China was not building a facility for its military.

"If there are other friends who want to help constructing, we allow and when the construction is finished, we welcome all countries to use it," he said.

(Reporting by Prak Chan Thul; Editing by Martin Petty)

Translation

金邊（路透社）- 美國周三指責柬埔寨對其最大海軍基地的中國建設活動缺乏透明度，並敦促政府向人民披露北京軍事參與的全部範圍。

戰略與國際研究中心 (CSIS) 週三公佈了它所說的衛星圖像 https://bit.ly/2YK7bUW，顯示了 8 月和 9 月建造的三座新建築和一條新道路的開始。

美國大使館發言人Chad Roedemeier在一份聲明中表示，任何外國軍事存在都將違反柬埔寨憲法並破壞地區安全。

他提到中國說,“柬埔寨政府對這個項目的意圖、性質和範圍或中國軍隊的作用沒有完全透明，這引起了人們對海軍設施的預期用途的擔憂”。

“柬埔寨人民應該更多地了解云朗海軍基地項目，並在這種對他們國家具有長期影響的軍事協議中擁有發言權。”

近年來，柬埔寨與美國的關係, 因美國指控其執政黨正在迫害其反對者, 以及對中國日益增長的影響力的擔憂而惡化。

一年前，柬埔寨表示已將美國資助的云朗海軍基地設施夷為平地，以便進一步擴建。美國表示，柬埔寨在一年前拒絕了美國修復該基地的提議。

柬埔寨一再否認有關其計劃是讓中國在該設施部署軍隊的報導。

此舉對中國來說意義重大。美國幾十年來, 通過其曾經運營的基地或在泰國和菲律賓等國的聯合演習以保持在這地區出現。

柬埔寨政府發言人 Phay Siphan 表示，中國在云朗的建設是其發展援助的一部分。

Phay Siphan 說, “建設完成後，我們的港口向所有人開放” ，並補充說中國沒有為其軍隊建造設施。

他說：“如果有其他朋友願意幫忙建設，我們允許，等建設完成後，我們歡迎所有國家使用。”

       So, China is helping Cambodia rebuilding its naval port. China is extending its influence into Indo-China.

Note: Ream Naval Base (云朗海軍基地 in Chinese) is a facility operated by the Royal Cambodian Navy on the coast of the Gulf of Thailand in the province of Sihanoukville, Cambodia.