Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has vowed never to allow foreign military bases in his country.
His remarks come in the wake of a news report that suggested China is pushing for a naval base in southern Cambodia that would potentially provide Beijing with easier access to the South China Sea.
Hun Sen pushed back against the idea of a foreign military base during Monday’s cabinet meeting, which was broadcast live on his Facebook page. He said the country’s Constitution does not permit foreign troops in Cambodia.
He also noted that he received a letter from US Vice President Mike Pence expressing concern about the report.
Pence stressed the importance of his country’s “Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy” in meetings with Southeast Asian leaders last week.
The US has criticized China over what it sees as a military buildup in the South China Sea and conducts so-called freedom of navigation operations there.
China claims most of the sea as its own.
China has supported Hun Sen’s administration with billions of dollars of aid. Western countries have criticized his authoritarian rule, which has lasted for more than 3 decades.
Source: NHK