China Denied “Secret Deal” with Cambodia for Naval Base Use, Saying It’s Fake News
China Denied “Secret Deal” with Cambodia for Naval Base Use, Saying It’s Fake News
Beijing (FN), July 24 – A Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Wu Qian denounced a fake news published by the Wall Street Journal regarding the secret deal to allow armed Chinese forces at the kingdom’s naval base.
“It [Saying China is building Chinese military base in Cambodia] is a fake news and fabricated reports. China and Cambodia only have cooperation on military trainings and logistic supports and that such bilateral cooperation does not target any third country,” Wu Qian addressed to the press.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen announced through Fresh News on 22 July 2019 that the report on “Cambodia-China signing deal to use military base in the kingdom” is the worst form of fabricated news against Cambodia.
“It was the worst fabricated news against us. No such thing happens. Foreign military base is against Cambodia’s constitution,” Prime Minister told Fresh News CEO Lim Chea Vutha in an interview.
The premier’s reiteration came after foreign medias baselessly accused the kingdom of signing secret deal with China over the use of military base at the kingdom’s coastal province.
“China has signed an agreement with Cambodia granting its military exclusive use of part of the Ream naval base near Sihanoukville,” according to WSJ’s article updated on 21 July 2019.
“Some details of the final deal were unclear, the officials said, but an early draft, seen by US officials, would allow China to use the base for 30 years, with automatic renewals every 10 years after that. China would be able to post military personnel, store weapons and berth warships, according to the draft,” it added.
Prime Minister Hun Sen questioned why Cambodia needs to have a foreign military base?
“We have never discussed such matter [setting up foreign military base] with Beijing, so it is pointless to say an agreement reached,” he clarified.
The premier also urged that, “it’s time to stop using distorted news about China’s military presence in Cambodia against us.”
Constitution of Cambodia determines no foreign military bases on the territory.
Article 53 of the Cambodian Constitution stipulates that the Kingdom of Cambodia shall not permit any foreign military base on its territory and shall not have its own military base abroad, except within the framework of a United Nations’ request.
Source: Fresh News
