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

US 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’s official name, the People’s Republic of 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 US have frayed in recent years over US allegations its ruling party is persecuting its opponents, and concerns about China's growing influence.

A year ago, Cambodia said it had razed a US-funded facility at the Ream naval base to allow for further expansion. The US 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 US 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.

 

Philippine aid

In a separate development, a defense pact between Australia, the US and Britain will ensure peace, security and stability in the region, the commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command said on Thursday.

All nations understand the importance of this region to the global economy, Adm. John Aquilino told a joint news conference with the Philippines military, as reported by Reuters.

On Wednesday, Aquiline witnessed the handover of four drones worth 20 million pesos (US$395,135) by the US military to the Philippine Air Force (PAF) in Clark Freeport, the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported.

The four units of ScanEagle unmanned aerial systems could “provide additional capabilities in unmanned Intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and support of counterterrorism, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief efforts,” the US Embassy said in a news release Thursday.

Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and PAF chief Lt. Gen. Allen Paredes witnessed the turnover led by Chargé d’Affaires Heather Variava and Aquilino.

“We remain committed to our promises on helping modernize the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and we hope this will further strengthen our combined capabilities in working together towards a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Variava said.

The US Embassy said the Philippines is the “largest recipient of US military assistance in the Indo-Pacific region,” getting more than 50.6 billion pesos of airplanes, ships, armored vehicles, small arms, and other military equipment to the Philippines since 2015.