US Ally Sends Ships to New China-Funded Naval Base
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Japan, which is a key United States ally in the Indo-Pacific region, became the first foreign country to visit a China-funded naval base in Cambodia, located near the South China Sea.
Newsweek has reached out to the Chinese Defense Ministry for comment by email.
Why It Matters
Japan is a member of the Quad, which is a U.S.-led strategic alignment of four Indo-Pacific countries, in addition to Australia and India. One of the key concerns for the Quad includes China's territorial claims in the South China Sea, covering more than 90 percent of waters. China has been expanding its military reach and presence by building overseas installations.
What To Know
Japanese minesweeper tender JS Bungo and minesweeper JS Etajima arrived at Ream Naval Base in Cambodia's southwestern province of Sihanoukville on the coast of the Gulf of Thailand on Saturday. The base was reopened earlier this month after the inauguration of a joint logistics and training center, which was built by the Chinese and the Cambodian militaries.
Japanese minesweeper tender JS Bungo, left, and minesweeper JS Etajima dock at Ream Naval Base in Cambodia on April 19, 2025.
Japanese minesweeper tender JS Bungo, left, and minesweeper JS Etajima dock at Ream Naval Base in Cambodia on April 19, 2025.
Cambodia Naval Base via AP
It was not clear when the Japanese naval vessels would depart. The deployment of the ships "contributes to the realization of [a] free and open Indo-Pacific as well as the peace and stability in the region and in the international community," the Japanese Embassy in Cambodia said.
During the opening ceremony of the joint logistics and training center, which is now run by the Chinese and the Cambodian personnel, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said that the base welcomes naval ships of less than 20,000 tons from all "friendly countries."
According to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, the Bungo has a displacement of 5,700 tons, while the smaller Etajima is 690 tons. They have been deployed under an Indo-Pacific and Middle East mission since early January and are expected to return home on May 10.
The Japanese navy's port call follows a five-day tour of Southeast Asia by Chinese President Xi Jinping, which included a stop in Cambodia. Beijing said it is ready to sign the protocol on upgrading a free trade agreement with regional countries as they face America's tariffs.
What People Are Saying
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force said: "Honored to be your first guest to Ream Naval Base! We have become even closer by the visit to your beautiful open port. As part of its efforts under [Free and Open Indo-Pacific], [Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force] remains delighted to sail into friends' ports and help enhance openness thru various and collaborative interactions."
Senior Colonel Wu Qian, spokesperson for the Chinese Defense Ministry, said: "In recent years, the military cooperation between China and Cambodia has been deepened and the two sides have had cooperation including joint training and personnel training in the Ream Naval Base."
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said: "I want to take this opportunity to clarify clearly that Cambodia, under the leadership of the Cambodian People's Party government, has no intention—whether in the past, present or future—of violating its own constitution by allowing any country or military to establish an exclusive base on Cambodian soil."
What Happens Next
Two Chinese warships dock at Ream Naval Base in Cambodia on April 5, 2025.
Two Chinese warships dock at Ream Naval Base in Cambodia on April 5, 2025.
Heng Sinith/AP Photo
It remains to be seen whether other foreign navies, including the U.S. Navy, will visit Ream Naval Base. Two Chinese naval ships were seen at the base earlier this month.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
23 minutes ago
- New York Post
LA anti-ICE looters shatter Apple store and make off with iPhones, Adidas in another night of chaos
Looters tore apart stores across Los Angeles as daytime protests against ICE-immigration raids descended into chaos overnight, yet again — and even a museum dedicated to Japanese-American immigrants was vandalized. Windows were smashed and merchandise was stolen at LA's Broadway Apple store Monday night, while down the block the Adidas store was broken into and robbed of sneakers by frenzied crowds. The windows of a nearby jewelry store were also smashed open and the shop's shelves were completely emptied by looters, while two marijuana dispensaries and a pharmacy were also raided, according to NBC 4. 4 A worker boards up an Adidas store after it was looted following days of protests against federal immigration sweeps and the deployment of the California National Guard and U.S. Marines, in downtown Los Angeles, California, U.S., June 10, 2025. REUTERS Footage from the chaos showed mobs masked and hooded hooligans pouring into the stores and grabbing armloads of whatever was in sight and then pouring back out onto the street spilling goods as they fled. Some ran right into the ranks of waiting cops, but many were able to muscle themselves free from the overwhelmed officers and escape. 'This is so ridiculous. This doesn't look like they're protesting for ICE or anything. Just looting the stores,' one fed up business owner who watched the overnight chaos unfold told News Nation. Across town in Little Tokyo, a sushi restaurant — Otoro Sushi — even had its doors ripped open by mobs, with troublemakers appearing to make off with a computer monitor and other equipment while onlookers yelled that they were 'Making us look bad.' 4 Products lie scattered in an Apple store after it was looted following days of protests against federal immigration sweeps and the deployment of the California National Guard and U.S. Marines, in downtown Los Angeles, California, U.S., June 10, 2025. REUTERS 4 People clean graffiti after days of protests against federal immigration sweeps and the deployment of the California National Guard and US Marines, outside the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, California, U.S., June 10, 2025. REUTERS The Japanese American National Museum was even targeted, with 'F**k ICE' and other graffiti spray-painted across windows, walls, and even over what appeared to be an outdoor exhibit about Japanese-American soldiers who fought in WWII as their families were locked away in internment camps. Volunteers flocked to the museum Tuesday morning with brushes and soap to help scrub away what vandalism they could, photos showed. And back on Broadway workers were seen laboring to sweep up and take stock of the damaged stores, while shattered windows and doors were boarded up. 4 Broken glass lies on the floor of a cannabis stores after it was looted following days of protests against federal immigration sweeps and the deployment of the California National Guard and U.S. Marines, in downtown Los Angeles, California, U.S., June 10, 2025. REUTERS At least 14 people were arrested for looting, according to police, while another 96 were arrested for failure to disperse. The protests were expected to continue for a fifth day and night Tuesday, as President Trump dispatched another round of National Guard troops — as well as Marines forces — to quell the chaos. Those deployments — which California's and LA's Democrat leaders say have done nothing but fuel the chaos in the city — is expected to cost at least $134 million, the Pentagon revealed Tuesday. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said its likely the troops will remain in LA for about 60 days, telling a House budget hearing that the protestors were 'rioters, looters and thugs.' Chaos was sparked in the City of Angels Friday after ICE carried out numerous raids to arrest suspected illegal immigrants. Activists attempted to block the raids and later picketed a downtown detention center where some of the detainees were being held, before the demonstrations snowballed into all-out riots in some areas.
Los Angeles Times
26 minutes ago
- Los Angeles Times
US stocks drift closer to their record as Wall Street waits to see what US-China talks will bear
NEW YORK — U.S. stocks drifted closer to their all-time high on Tuesday as the wait continued to hear what will come of trade talks between the United States and China. The S&P 500 rose 0.5% as talks between the world's two largest economies carried into a second day. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 105 points, or 0.2%, and the Nasdaq composite gained 0.6%. Stocks have roared higher since dropping roughly 20% below their record two months ago, when President Donald Trump shocked financial markets with his announcement of tariffs that were so stiff that they raised worries about a possible recession. Much of the rally has been due to hopes that Trump would lower his tariffs after reaching trade deals with countries around the world, and the S&P 500 is back within 1.7% of its record set in February. It's getting to be time to see whether such hopes were warranted. The talks with China were going 'really, really well,' U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick said Tuesday evening in London, where the talks were being held. The two sides worked on 'all sorts of trade issues,' he said, according to a video clip posted by the Chinese state broadcaster CGTN. Both the United States and China have put many of their tariffs announced against each other on pause as talks continue. Even though many tariffs are on hold for the moment, they're still affecting companies and their ability to make profits because of all the uncertainty they've created. Designer Brands, the company behind the DSW shoe store chain, became the latest U.S. company to yank its financial forecasts for 2025 because of 'uncertainty stemming primarily from global trade policies.' The company, which also owns the Keds, Jessica Simpson and other shoe brands, reported a larger loss for the start of the year than analysts were expecting, and its revenue also fell short of forecasts. CEO Doug Howe pointed to 'persistent instability and pressure on consumer discretionary' spending, and the company's stock tumbled 18.2%. The uncertainty is moving in both directions, to be sure. A survey released Tuesday of optimism among small U.S. businesses improved a bit in May. 'While the economy will continue to stumble along until the major sources of uncertainty are resolved, owners reported more positive expectations on business conditions and sales growth,' according to Bill Dunkelberg, chief economist at the National Federation of Independent Business. On Wall Street, J.M. Smucker fell 15.6% even though its results for the latest quarter topped analysts' expectations. Its revenue fell short of expectations, as did its forecast for profit in the upcoming year. Tesla helped to make up for such losses after rising 5.7%. The electric vehicle company has been recovering since tumbling last week as Elon Musk's relationship with Trump imploded. That raised fear about possible retaliation by the U.S. government against Tesla. Shares that trade in the United States of chipmaking giant Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. rose 2.6% after the company known as TSMC said its revenue in May jumped nearly 40% from the year earlier. Casey's General Stores leaped 11.6% after the chain of convenience stores based in Ankeny, Iowa, reported a stronger profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected. It credited strength in sales of hot sandwiches and other items. All told, the S&P 500 rose 32.93 points to 6,038.81. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 105.11 to 42,866.87, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 123.75 to 19,714.99. In stock markets abroad, indexes were mixed amid mostly modest movements across Europe and Asia. A 0.8% drop for Germany's DAX and a 0.6% gain for South Korea's Kospi were two of the bigger moves. In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year Treasury eased to 4.47% from 4.49% late Monday. Choe writes for the Associated Press.
Yahoo
26 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Non-citizen LA rioters could be deported under new House bill
FIRST ON FOX: Some House Republicans are now considering whether non-citizens who are found to have participated in violent anti-law enforcement riots have a right to stay in the United States. Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, is leading a bill that would make non-U.S. citizens convicted of "actual or attempted assault, battery, or use of force" against any law enforcement officer eligible for deportation. Any immigrants deported under the legislation, if enacted, would be permanently barred from the United States. "The thing about breaking the law is, there's effectively a waiving of your constitutional rights that's sort of inherent in our system, right? When you go to prison, you're losing your liberty," Crenshaw told Fox News Digital in an interview Tuesday. California Republicans Slam Newsom, Bass For Letting La Burn With Riots Amid Trump Immigration Blitz "So this is a very normal thing, and in the case of say, people who are here legally, but then committing acts of violence – in this case, we're being really specific, during a national emergency, committing assaults against police officers, and destruction of property – that should have an effect and be on the list of things that allows for revocation of your status." Read On The Fox News App Early bill text obtained by Fox News Digital shows the bill would apply to legal permanent residents, people here illegally, and beneficiaries of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy. It would go into effect when presidents, governors or local leaders make emergency or major disaster declarations. It comes amid continued tensions in Los Angeles, where protests against Immigrations and Customs Enforcement operations turned violent across the city this weekend. Rioters were seen burning American flags and cars stood on the street in flames, while police used pepper spray and rubber bullets on crowds outside federal buildings. President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard despite the objections of California Gov. Gavin Newsom and ordered 700 U.S. Marines to Los Angeles as well. Those Marines will be training in Seal Beach for a few more days before deployment, a U.S. defense official told Fox News. Democrats have accused the Trump administration of escalating violence in Los Angeles, while Republicans argue that federal action is necessary based on the state's handling of the situation. Crenshaw said his legislation would help the administration restore order during such times. "What it would do is, it would give the administration the option to say, yeah we've rounded all these people up, half of them are U.S. citizens, okay, you're going to jail for rioting. Maybe another quarter are illegals, well that's easy you can deport them," he said. "But what about the other quarter? You know, that might be…a number of legal aliens here rioting against America for enforcing our immigration laws. In our minds, you've violated that sort of social contract with the United States at that point." California Lt. Governor Says Los Angeles Riots Are 'Generated By Donald Trump' Crenshaw said he spoke with the White House and that officials there were "excited" about the bill. The White House said it would not get in front of the president on legislative matters when reached for comment by Fox News Digital. Currently, legal U.S. residents, including green card holders, can have their status revoked by an immigration judge if they are found guilty of certain crimes or are found to have fraudulently misrepresented themselves in their application for residence. Crimes that would make legal U.S. visa holders and green card holders eligible for deportation currently include murder, drug trafficking and article source: Non-citizen LA rioters could be deported under new House bill
