Prime Minister Hun Manet has reiterated that Cambodia is upgrading its military in order to be better prepared for emergency response duties within the Kingdom, as well as to play its part in regional and global disaster relief and anti-terrorism operations.

Speaking at the January 24 celebrations of the 25th anniversary of the formation of the Royal Cambodian Army Command Headquarters, Manet explained that Cambodia’s military cannot integrate with regional forces if its capacity remains limited.

“They will not call on us to join them if we are going to be a burden. They will ask for our participation only when our capacity is similar to theirs,” he said.

He also touched on criticisms of the development of the Ream Naval Base, which some “foreign powers” and media have claimed will host elements of the Chinese military. 

The prime minister explained that Article 53 of Cambodia’s Constitution does not permit the Kingdom to host foreign militaries. He added that the Cambodian military cannot be present in other countries either, unless under the UN umbrella.

He said former Prime Minister Hun Sen and then-Minister of National Defence Tea Banh had each made this point clear many times already, and that he himself has reaffirmed this on the floor of the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78), held in the US’ New York City last September.

“I want to once again reiterate that upgrading the capacity of our navy, army and air force is only being done to protect Cambodia, not for waging war with anyone,” he said. 

He explained that Cambodia is no different from any other country. It has the right to strengthen its defence capability, and no nation has ever passed a law which prevents it from doing so.

“Cambodia has no intention to violate anyone’s sovereignty. We are upgrading our defence capabilities to defend our nation, and it is our right to do so. There is no country on earth that has passed a law banning itself from increasing their defence capacity,” he stressed.

Tea Banh has repeatedly clarified that the Ream Naval Base is in the hands of Cambodia, and is not for the use by any other country. Cambodia, he explained, has merely received aid for its modernisation.

The controversial accusations that Cambodia is hosting the Chinese military emerged when the Kingdom, with the support of China, began to “strengthen” its naval facilities at Ream. At the time, a US-funded workshop structure was removed, with Cambodian officials explaining that it was necessary to do so to make way for the renovation.

Jean-Francois Tain, minister delegate attached to the prime minister for foreign affairs, said recently that there should be no more comment or analysis on the Ream Naval Base upgrades, noting that while addressing the UNGA 78, Manet declared to the world that no foreign military bases would be permitted on Cambodian soil. Manet explained that the Kingdom’s foreign policy is independent and neutral.

Yang Peou, secretary-general of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, believes that negative claims by foreigners on the development of the naval base were merely intended to create a negative impression.

“Those who keep pushing this issue forward may well understand that Cambodia’s Constitution bans any foreign military presence.

“No matter how many times this is clarified, they keep bringing it up, presumably to sow confusion, ire and political instability,” he said.