US Warship Pays First Port Call at Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base

Why It Matters

The visit signals a pivot toward greater U.S. engagement in a region where China has deepened its foothold, reshaping the security calculus of the Indo‑Pacific.

Key Takeaways

• USS Cincinnati first US warship at Ream Naval Base
• Visit signals thaw in US‑Cambodia ties after two decades
• Ream expansion funded by China raises strategic concerns
• U.S. plans to resume Angkor Sentinel drills in 2026‑27
• Cambodia seeks to balance Chinese influence with US partnership

Pulse Analysis

Ream Naval Base, situated on Cambodia’s southern coast near Sihanoukville, has undergone a massive upgrade since 2022. Beijing financed a 300‑meter deep‑water pier, a 5,000‑ton dry dock, a 1,000‑ton slipway and a joint logistics‑training center, turning the facility into one of the most capable ports in the lower Mekong region. Western analysts worry the enhancements could enable a permanent Chinese naval presence, a scenario that would shift the balance of power in the South China Sea and complicate U.S. freedom‑of‑navigation operations. The facility also supports humanitarian assistance missions, further increasing its strategic utility.

The USS Cincinnati’s five‑day stop on Jan. 24 was framed by both sides as a confidence‑building gesture. Admiral Samuel Paparo highlighted Cambodia’s sovereign control of Ream, while Prime Minister Hun Manet called the visit tangible proof of a “strong upward trajectory” in bilateral ties. The docking follows a broader U.S. policy shift that softened democracy‑promotion pressure and reopened diplomatic channels after years of sanctions, allowing Phnom Penh to pursue a more balanced foreign‑policy posture between Washington and Beijing. U.S. officials also discussed expanding maritime training programs for Cambodian sailors.

Strategically, the port call paves the way for the revival of the Angkor Sentinel exercise, slated for late 2026 or early 2027, and hints at a possible U.S. defense ministerial visit. Such moves aim to reassure regional allies that the United States remains committed to a free and open Indo‑Pacific, while giving Cambodia leverage to extract concessions from both superpowers. However, lingering concerns over Cambodia’s alleged involvement in cyber‑scamming networks and the opaque terms of China’s base lease could complicate deeper security cooperation. Analysts will watch how the renewed drills affect China’s naval deployments in the Gulf of Thailand.