US sanctions Cambodian officials over alleged corruption at Ream Naval Base

The US government has sanctioned Cambodian officials for alleged graft at the South-East Asian nation’s largest naval base, where the demolition of structures funded by Washington has drawn criticism from US officials concerned about China’s access to the facility.

Chau Phirun, director general of the defence ministry’s material and technical services department, “conspired to profit from activities regarding the construction and updating of Ream Naval Base facilities”, the US Treasury Department said.