Chinese warships at Cambodian base for months, CSIS analysis shows

SYDNEY -- Two Chinese warships have been present at Cambodia's Ream Naval Base for much of the past five months, satellite images show, raising questions about the permanency of China's military presence at the facility.

China has backed a major expansion at the site on the Gulf of Thailand and was the first to send warships late last year to a new pier. Former Cambodian Defense Minister Tea Banh visited the vessels on Dec. 3 along with China's ambassador to Phnom Penh.