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(1) No one protects Cambodia’s sovereignty better than Cambodia itself
I have met with leaders from some friendly countries in the past years, since the modernization of the Ream naval base had not been completed, and they had always expressed concerns and raised various opinions about Cambodia’s sovereignty. I told them: “no one protects Cambodia’s sovereignty better than Cambodia itself.” Modernizing the army, increasing its capabilities, defending the territory, and fighting all forms of war, whether it is a war between armies or a war against transnational crime, requires the Cambodian army to have a firm foundation […]
(The) navy knows very well that our neighboring countries have been modernizing their naval technology […] and for us to protect our sea, (we) need to increase our capabilities to prevent the infiltration of transnational criminals (such as drug traffickers), arms traffickers, who have the ability and resource of modern equipment from international waters […] Starting today, Cambodia welcomes all friendly countries to come and train together at the Ream naval base. We have nothing to hide […]
(2) The Constitution – “… Shall not permit any foreign military base on its territory …”
It is said that Cambodia has built this naval base to allow Chinese troops to station here, which is a cause for the loss of sovereignty. I would like to point out that the Article 53 of the Cambodian Constitution clearly states:
“The Kingdom of Cambodia shall not permit any foreign military base on its territory and shall not have its own military base abroad, except within the framework of a United Nations request.
The Kingdom of Cambodia reserves the right to receive foreign assistance in military equipment, armaments, ammunitions, in training of its armed forces, and other assistance for self-defense and to maintain public order and security within its territory.”
Should Cambodia intend for any country or party to station its military here, we could have the Constitution amended […] but we do not. Why? It is because we have no intention of violating the Constitution, nor do we have the intention of allowing any country to exclusively deploy its troops as a military base in Cambodia […]
(3) What wrong could it be that Cambodia builds and modernizes its naval training base with China as a partner?
In ASEAN, how many countries allow foreign military bases? What wrong could it be that Cambodia is simply modernizing its military capabilities and building this naval training base with China as its development partner? That Cambodia – a country that had been under war, especially our navy, lagging behind others – wanted to accelerate the construction/enhancement of our military capabilities, having modern equipment, information gathering capability, and modern training equipment and facility, what wrong could that be? […] Please let me clarify that “the government led by the Cambodian People’s Party, both in the past, today, and/or in the future, has no intention of violating its Constitution allowing any country to establish an exclusive military base on the Cambodian territory” […] The Constitution is absolutely protected, not violated, and we have no intention of amending, modifying, or repealing the Constitution that prohibits foreign bases on the territory […]
(4) Though our sea area is small, our army must participate in maintaining security and order in the region
I think that our armed forces, especially the navy itself, must be proud that we have the ability to strengthen the naval base from its dilapidated to modernized state of being […] For the time to come, we will have two frigates […] with which we will be able to forecast and/or patrol long distances, protect thousands of kilometers of maritime area, and provide information for national defense purpose of the whole country […] If anyone proves him/herself to be a Cambodian, and truly patriotic, s/he should be celebrating together the increase in the ability (of our navy) to protect territorial sovereignty and long-term national defense […] We will not stop, we will continue to modernize both people, technology, and equipment of the navy […] Even though our sea area is small, our army, still, must be able to participate in maintaining security and order in the region […]
(5) Cooperating with all parties to increase the capabilities of armed forces
Our country is poor, and the economy is limited. We strengthen ourselves to some extent. Though most of the spending is on social affairs, on human resource development, we still do not neglect the national defense sector. That is why we cooperate with all parties to increase the capabilities of our armed forces, whether it is the navy, the army, and the air forces, whether it is the police, the military police, as long as they have the task of serving the nation, to defend the nation, and to protect the people. The Royal Government must strive to increase its capabilities and abilities […]
They say that the Ream naval base, if not the whole, then some parts, has been offered to the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, for which the Cambodians could not have access to, just like in some countries, even the host country (cannot enter). Today, everyone has seen that there is not even a fence. There is no part of the Ream naval base that our navy, our officers cannot enter […] The Ream naval base is under the control of Cambodia. We have training program with friendly forces, which is on that side – a multinational training center. So, any friendly troops that come for training will be placed on that side, and they have to control it (for their security). It is normal process […]
(6) Friendly navies to participate in training with mutual respect of sovereignty
All training with friendly countries, navies will be allowed access. We have both the ports facilities and dormitories to stay. We have nothing to hide. This naval base will be a source to strengthen friendship, sovereignty, and solidarity of Cambodia with all countries, and for national defense, based on solidarity, mutual respect of sovereignty. Cambodia stands with all countries […] From this inauguration day, the Ream naval base is open for business for all friends […] to join in training together. All of this is under the management of the Ream Naval Base of the Cambodian Army, a joint training base. When there is training, we have unified internal regulations, but that too will be under the sovereignty of the Cambodian Army […]
(7) RGC is committed to strengthening armed forces, especially the navy, today and in the future
In my first speech at the United Nations, I made it clear that we are adhering to the Constitution, that there should be no foreign military bases on the Cambodian soil […] The concrete actions here are joint training with all countries. But what is the goal? Cooperation with friendly countries is one goal, but the biggest goal is to increase the capacity of the Cambodian army. We have the capacity, the ability, the equipment and the modernization to fulfill the task of defending the territory. No one protects the territory of Cambodia better than the army, the armed forces of Cambodia. If the Royal Government does not make every effort to strengthen the national defense of Cambodia by strengthening the Cambodian army, who will do it for us? The Royal Government of Cambodian (RGC) is committed to continuing to strengthen all types of armed forces, especially the navy, today and in the future […]
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(8) May our Chinese friends provide a full set of assistance to increase Cambodia’s army capabilities
Please allow me to thank and ask HE Cao Qingfeng, Deputy Chief of the Joint Staff of the Chinese Central Military Commission, who, while helping to modernize the navy here through equipping ships and training, also continue to help increase the capacity (of the army) to defend our islands/coasts, especially the training and equipping of coastal defense weapons. These tools are important. May I ask, the National Defense Minister, HE Tea Seiha, to discuss further (this topic with our counterpart) because now it is the time that we are increasing the (capacity) of the navy […]
The other day, along with this issue, I talked with (the Minister of National Defense) HE Tea Seiha one step ahead about protecting, preparing, examining the geographical location, preparing a defense plan, where to reserve for national defense, and prepare to equip (weapons) and train, especially the island/coast defense weapons system, both air defense, anti-ship radar systems, etc. that we have equipped. I ask HE the Minister to convey this proposal to our Chinese friends to continue to provide a full set of assistance to increase Cambodia’s army capabilities […]
(9) Island/coastal defense not only for wartime but also regular security against transnational crimes
(This long-term plan for the island/coast defense aims) not only for wartime security, but also for our regular security against transnational crimes. We need a force stationed in those locations. Increasing the capacity of the army is necessary because the radar system can detect not only warships, but also criminal gangs and fishing boats. This is what they say – eyes on the water and in the air […] If the situation changes within 100-200 miles, we know immediately. The frontline sends in the information. The rear can get counter measures ready. Earthquakes, tsunamis, shipwrecks, ship collisions, anywhere, we can be aware immediately, and we can mobilize forces to help in no time. I ask your HE (Cao Qingfeng, Deputy Chief of the Joint Staff of the Chinese Central Military Commission) to help deliver the Cambodian proposal to strengthen its military ability to protect its islands/coasts making it a single package in protecting the sea in accordance with the national defense strategy and tactics […]
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(10) Strategic location/islands must be reserved for national defense
In 2023, when I was the acting Joint Chiefs of Staff, we also did a study. At that time, the Chief of Staff of the Navy studied the long-term defense plan in the sea. We pointed out where, which location, which island, (that are strategic for defense) so that we could talk to the CDC (Cambodia Development Council) and reserve them accordingly […] It was time for the CDC to start re-evaluating some islands that had requested licenses and left (undeveloped) […] Where the permission had been stripped off, leave the locations for the navy to set up long-term defense bases, and/or other places to let people invest or let our citizens live. This is a long-term thinking. This is a package thinking […] I am asking the CDC to work with (the Ministry of National Defense on) where the locations are for the national defense sector, we reserve them, and they are not (for investment). Let’s be clear. The Ministry of National Defense takes it for national defense sites, military sites, not for investment but not for the Ministry of National Defense to build hotels. Keep it as a public site for national defense only […]./.
