Chinese oversea bases

Andy1974 said:

This is just unrealistic, there is no way the PLAAF is deploying to Cambodia. It’s a naval base, and China is saying there is no base going there, Naval or otherwise.

How can your heavy fighter jets even get to the Andaman sea or India ocean without flying over Thailand and/or Malaysia.

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During war time, do you really think China will let a very short air space stop them from flying over Thailand? This is the beginning phase of China having a military base in Cambodia. The air base itself does not have to be at Ream. It can be near by.

Well guess what:

Ream naval base confirmed.

For now its a naval base. However the even bigger prize is going to be having a PLARF base in Cambodia

I think a lot of people here really don’t get that China says what it means and means what it says. China’s word is very, very important.

There is just no way that China will say one thing and then do the complete opposite. (plese dont say that this happened with the SCS islands).

If China says NO BASE. Then no base. No matter how useful you think it will be, which I really disagree with anyway.

Chinas plan is to strengthen Cambodias Navy, it’s as simple as that.

Based on my observation, I would say that the Ream naval base would still be operated, mostly at the very least, by the Royal Cambodian Navy.

Although the possibility of hosting and docking larger PLA Navy vessels in the Ream naval base is still viable, something akin to the Changi Naval Base at the eastern tip of Singapore that does host and dock US Navy vessels.

It is unlikely that the Ream naval base would become a fully-fledged PLAN naval base that is operated by the PLA, however. A classic example would be the Kaneda Air Base on Okinawa that is operated by the USAF.

Is it possible for the Ream Naval Base would be further expanded and upgraded into something bigger and able to host more permanent PLA Navy's presence in the future? I think it is.

Speaking of which, having a naval base close to the proposed Kra Isthmus Canal across southern Thailand can provide a much better safety and security guardian over the canal than those bases in the South China Sea, especially against possible threats coming from a certain country based off the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Maybe a Chinese-Thai defense cooperation would be viable next.

Overbom said:

For now its a naval base. However the even bigger prize is going to be having a PLARF base in Cambodia

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I agree here. We will see how they proceed. I think they will start off with infrastructure, radar installations and port calls. After that, they would want to install missile launchers, air defense units and fortied hangars in near by areas.

I think we have all seen the incredible pictures of Chinas own comprehensive bases, whether Army, Air Force or Rocket Force. China builds awesome bases, in short amounts of time.

Any country would want such bases. China now wants every country to be responsible for their own security, enough to provide grants for the basics such as bases (and uniforms), as we have just seen in Cambodia. (See Global Security Initiative)

It’s only natural that countries will ask China to upgrade or build new military bases. If China is already building quality infrastructure in your country then surely your armed forces want some too?

This doesn’t mean China is basing their forces in other countries, or making their own bases there.

I can see a trend where China starts to build this military infrastructure worldwide now. It completely win-win.

Andy1974 said:

I think we have all seen the incredible pictures of Chinas own comprehensive bases, whether Army, Air Force or Rocket Force. China builds awesome bases, in short amounts of time.

Any country would want such bases. China now wants every country to be responsible for their own security, enough to provide grants for the basics such as bases (and uniforms), as we have just seen in Cambodia. (See Global Security Initiative)

It’s only natural that countries will ask China to upgrade or build new military bases. If China is already building quality infrastructure in your country then surely your armed forces want some too?

This doesn’t mean China is basing their forces in other countries, or making their own bases there.

I can see a trend where China starts to build this military infrastructure worldwide now. It completely win-win.

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I mean, even if China isn't gonna say actually base in Cambodia (for now), after the building of the ream base, we might most likely see say somewhat regular visits of PLAN ships and in the future joint drills or the likes (especially if Cambodia buys, or gets donated an old PLAN say frigate or corvette).

Michaelsinodef said:

I mean, even if China isn't gonna say actually base in Cambodia (for now), after the building of the ream base, we might most likely see say somewhat regular visits of PLAN ships and in the future joint drills or the likes (especially if Cambodia buys, or gets donated an old PLAN say frigate or corvette).

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Of course, it only makes sense for Cambodia to also buy new vessels from China.

If Cambodia is to exercise sovereignty effectively then it probably needs Chinese ships as you say, I’m sure that list will also include submarines, we have seen lots of subs for sale in all different sizes, even just 300t.

You are right that there will be joint drills, with China and others, including USA hopefully.

All of this sounds good for Cambodia, and for the region which should be more secure because of a more balanced layout.

It still doesn’t mean that there is a PLA base in Cambodia.