New satellite images appear to show the Chinese Army has been building a new dry dock that could one day accommodate its biggest aircraft carrier.
The new extension was spotted via satellite images monitoring the Ream Naval Base in the South China Sea.
The pictures showed considerable construction matching the requirements of a dry dock being built at the base, which is located off the coast of Sihanoukville, in Cambodia.
The base has been at the centre of widespread speculation about China’s activities as experts have long suspected the People’s Republic of using it to develop infrastructure for its submarines and warships.
H.I. Sutton, an open-source maritime security analyst, has argued the new construction at Ream confirms Beijing is planning to use the base to house its largest carrier when completed.
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He dismissed claims from Cambodia saying its navy would be using the base, noting the country has only a handful of vessels longer than 50 metres.
China has been strengthening its relations with Cambodia in recent months, with Xi Jinping earlier this month remaking that he “is ready to work with King Sihamoni to strengthen the strategic guidance for bilateral relations.”
Phnom Penh confirmed it received funds from the PRC to build a new naval base and maintains Ream will be pivotal to securing Cambodia’s defences.
The Center for Global Development identified Cambodia as a country at “risk of debt distress” because of the cash it owes to China – approximately $3.9 billion out of its $10.2 billion foreign debt total.
China has signalled it’s seeking to expand its military presence abroad, especially in areas of great interest such as the South China Sea.
China has steadfastly stood by its claim to virtually the entire strategic waterway, clashing with its smaller neighbours and drawing in the United States.
Washington and its allies have deployed navy ships and fighter aircraft to promote freedom of navigation and overflight, build up deterrence and reassure allies like the Philippines.
There are fears that the recurring confrontations at Second Thomas Shoal, which lies within the UN-sanctioned Philippine exclusive economic zone but is claimed by China and surrounded by its flotilla, could ignite an armed conflict pitting the US against China.
Philippine officials said Saturday they would never take any step that could ignite a larger conflict but would not be deterred in defending the country’s sovereign rights in the South China Sea.
