China establishes joint logistic, training center at Cambodian naval base

By Saadet Gokce

ISTANBUL (AA) - China inaugurated a joint logistics and training center at Cambodia's Ream Naval Base on Saturday.

The center will be used for regional counter-terrorism operations, disaster response, humanitarian aid, and joint training exercises, according to a statement issued by China's Ministry of National Defense.

Personnel from both nations will be assigned to ensure the center’s regular operations, the statement said.

The initiative complies with Cambodian and Chinese laws, as well as international laws, and is not "aimed at any third party," it added.

“From this day forward, we expect that there will be various attacks and interpretations. I want to take this opportunity to clarify clearly that Cambodia, under the leadership of the Cambodian People’s Party government, has no intention, whether in the past, present, or future, of violating its own constitution by allowing any country or military to establish an exclusive base on Cambodian soil,” the Phnom Penh Post quoted Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet as saying during the inauguration ceremony.

Hun said Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit Cambodia in two weeks.

Meanwhile, a senior Chinese military official, who was cited by the media outlet, said the center will host joint military exercises between Beijing and Phnom Penh beginning this year.