Cambodia denies new speculation about Chinese base plans

PHNOM PENH, Oct 6 (AP): Cambodia’s government denied that its demolition of a US-funded facility at one of its naval bases is a signal that China will be granted basing privileges there, saying the work only involves planned infrastructure improvements.

The statement by the National Committee for Maritime Security on Monday was in response to recent media reports highlighting new concerns over China’s suspected plans for Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base on the Gulf of Thailand. The stories were based on satellite photos showing the demolished facility and earlier statements from Cambodian officials.