After rejecting Washington’s offer to fix the base’s US-built hospital in Sihanoukville in 2020, Cambodia demolished it.
Cambodia has consistently refuted reports of a covert arrangement to house its forces at the base and said it is ready to host defense ships from different nations.
According to China’s state-run Xinhua news agency, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and a delegation from China’s People’s Liberation Army ( PLA ) attended the inauguration ceremony of the expanded base on Saturday. The expanded base now includes a new pier that could accommodate larger vessels.
Hun Manet stated in a speech at the formal inauguration ceremony on Saturday that there was “nothing to hide.”  ,  ,
Hun Manet said,” We are holding the live opening now because we want both Cambodian people, people, and all causes around the world to stop casting doubts about it,” adding that Cambodia welcomed allies to hold joint activities in the Scoop center.
We don’t have anything to cover at all,  ,  ,
He added that ships from different nations would be able to dock at the new, improved facility, not Beijing’s “exclusive” use.
Hun Manet likewise confirmed a highly speculative trip to Cambodia by Chinese President Xi Jinping later this month.  ,