CHINA-CAMBODIA: SATELLITE IMAGES SHOW CHINA IS PROBABLY DEEPENING REAM BASE IN NORTHERN CAMBODIA
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Nikkei Asia (January 22) reported that the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)' Asia
Maritime Transparency Initiative on January 22 released a January 16 satellite image showing two clamshell
dredgers just off the coast of Ream accompanied by barges for collecting dredged sand. The vessels were
also visible in a photo uploaded to Facebook by Cambodian Minister of National Defense Tea Banh, who
visited the site on the Gulf of Thailand on January 18. The photo was taken from the northern half of Ream
and shows both clamshell dredgers operating behind another ship docked on the coast, with CSIS saying the
latter may be a suction dredger. The CSIS briefing stated "The extent of the planned dredging is unclear, but
could mark a significant upgrade in the base's capabilities. A deep-water port would make it far more useful
to both the Cambodian and Chinese navies." China is funding upgrades at Ream including an expansion of
the port and the development of a ship repair facility. The U.S. has raised concerns that China is planning to host military assets at the base. It said Satellite images also show clearing for roads and a possible fence near
a Vietnam-funded hospital and that a small building and several concrete lots have also appeared along the
coast. CSIS wrote "Taken together, the scale of recent demolition and land clearing, and especially the new
dredging activity, indicates that the base is being prepared for significant infrastructure upgrades."
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