Maritime Self-Defense Force vessels have called at a key point in southern Cambodia near the South China Sea, where China is strengthening its marine advance.


Japan seems to have the aim of restraining China, which is becoming more influential in the region.

The Maritime Self-Defense Force's sweeping mother ship "Uraga" and the sweeping ship "Hirado" entered the port of Sihanoukville in southern Cambodia on the morning of the 15th.

A ceremony was held at the port, and Japanese Ambassador Masahiro Mikami said, "Toward the realization of a free and open Indo-Pacific, the two countries will bring peace, stability and prosperity to the entire region by ensuring an international order based on rules. , We can cooperate and cooperate more closely. "



Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Tia Bang also said, "We welcome this call to further strengthen and develop the defense cooperation between the two countries."



Sihanoukville is located near the South China Sea, where China is strengthening its marine expansion, and in recent years it has undergone significant development with investment from China.



The US government has also expressed serious concern over the Cambodian Navy's Liam base in Sihanoukville, saying that the Chinese military is constructing the building.



Some of the members who are calling at the port are scheduled to stop at this base on the 16th, and there seems to be a desire to dispel these concerns behind the invitation of the members by the Cambodian side.



While Cambodia attaches great importance to relations with China, which is the largest investor, Japan seems to have the aim of restraining China by calling at ports in this region.

US “Chinese troops are using bases in Cambodia”

The Liam Naval Base in southern Cambodia is a strategic strategic location near the South China Sea, where countries such as China and Southeast Asia vie for sovereignty.



As China continues its military activities in the South China Sea, the United States is increasingly suspicious that Chinese troops are using the base.



China has become Cambodia's largest investor and an important country to support economic growth, and the Cambodian government has made it clear that it attaches great importance to its relationship with China.



Under these circumstances, three years ago, a leading US newspaper reported that the Cambodian government had secretly signed an agreement to allow China to use the base for military purposes in return for receiving support from China.



The Cambodian government denied the report, but an American think tank pointed out from the analysis of satellite photographs that a new building involving the Chinese army was being built at the base, and the U.S. visited Cambodia last June. Deputy Secretary of State Sherman also expressed serious concern.



After that, he requested that the military attaché of the US Embassy allow regular visits to the base, and the visit was realized immediately after the meeting.



However, after the inspection, the US embassy said that the inspection was restricted and requested that the full inspection be approved again.



On the other hand, the Cambodian side said that it fully responded to the request and said, "The purpose of the US visit to the base is not to eliminate doubts about the establishment of a military base in China, but to the geopolitical interest. The gap between the two countries is deepening over the base.



The United States continued to impose sanctions on the Cambodian Navy and Pentagon officials over the base in November last year, and announced that it would tighten export restrictions to Cambodia in December. We are increasing the pressure to review.