Last week, Cambodia’s government denied that the demolition of a US-funded facility at the Ream Naval Base was a signal that China would be granted basing privileges there, describing the work as a “planned infrastructure improvement”. Phnom Penh also said a larger facility would be established at a new location, prompting concerns in the US that Cambodia would allow the Chinese military access to the site. Coordinator of the China Programme at the RSIS  in Singapore Dr Li Mingjiang thought it unlikely that China would enjoy exclusive use of the base, adding that the redevelopment of the facility would be mutually beneficial for Cambodia and China. Cambodia would have a larger naval base, while China would have an additional option to deploy and repair its military assets, Li said.