PHNOM PENH, Cambodia -- Cambodia's Defense Ministry said Wednesday that China is giving its navy two warships of the type it has had docked for months at a strategically important base being expanded with Beijing's funding, which has raised concerns of China establishing a permanent naval presence on the Gulf of Thailand.

Ministry spokeswoman Maly Socheata informed The Associated Press that China would provide Cambodia with two newly constructed Type 56 corvettes, smaller vessels primarily used for coastal patrols, at the earliest by next year.

She declined to comment on reports indicating that China also intended to transfer newly expanded facilities at Ream Naval Base to Cambodia, including a lengthy new pier capable of accommodating much larger naval vessels than Cambodia currently possesses in its fleet. Maly did confirm that the final phase of construction would soon be completed.

The United States and other nations have voiced concerns regarding China's navy establishing a base at Ream, which would grant it easy access to the Malacca Strait, a crucial shipping route between the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean.

These concerns intensified after two Type 56 corvettes were deployed at the newly constructed pier in December and have maintained a sporadic presence there ever since.

Cambodia has stated that one of the reasons the Chinese corvettes have been present for an extended period is their evaluation of similar warships for potential inclusion in their own navy, as well as for training purposes.

Maly explained that the two corvettes, specifically the Type 56C variant, being gifted to Cambodia were a result of Cambodia's request for China's support.

“The goal is to bolster Cambodia's capacity and ability to safeguard and uphold peace, stability, and security, as well as to provide support for search and rescue missions and other humanitarian endeavors,” she stated.

China's Foreign Affairs Ministry declined to comment on the ships or the report alleging Beijing's intention to transfer the newly expanded Ream base facilities to Cambodia. In a faxed response to a query from the Associated Press, the ministry stated that “we are not aware of the relevant information.”

Disputes concerning Chinese activities at the Ream base initially emerged in 2019 when The Wall Street Journal reported that an early draft of a purported agreement, reviewed by U.S. officials, would grant China a 30-year lease of the base, allowing the deployment of military personnel, storage of weaponry, and berthing of warships.

Cambodia’s then-Prime Minister Hun Sen denied there was such an agreement, emphasizing that Cambodia’s Constitution did not allow foreign military bases to be established on its soil.

Chinese construction at the base has continued unabated, and Hun Sen's successor as prime minister, his son Hun Manet, has maintained the same stance.

If China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) were to be granted preferential or exclusive access to Ream in exchange for the warships it is providing Cambodia and for its work on the base, it could represent a clever strategy to circumvent the constitutional constraints, according to Euan Graham, a senior defense analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.

“This is a clever move, allowing Cambodia to maintain its stance that it hasn't violated its constitution by establishing a foreign base. And China has a surplus of warships to donate,” he stated.

“I anticipate that China may retain a naval contingent on board the corvettes, post-transfer. The critical question is what level of access the PLAN will have to Ream, and whether that access is exclusive,” Graham added.

China presently operates only one acknowledged foreign military base, situated in the impoverished but strategically vital Horn of Africa nation of Djibouti, but many believe that its military is actively establishing an overseas network.

The U.S. maintains more foreign military bases than any other nation, including numerous facilities in the Asia-Pacific region.

So far, only Chinese naval ships have been given authorization to utilize the new pier. In February, two Japanese destroyers were instead directed to the nearby Sihanoukville commercial port. A Royal Australian Navy frigate was also directed to Sihanoukville for a port visit ending Wednesday.

Maly stated that Cambodia has the right to foster cooperation with all partners for its benefit, as long as constitutional regulations are followed.

“Cooperation must align with the objectives and principles of the Cambodian Constitution, especially the protection of its sovereignty, integrity, and independence,” Maly said.

Cambodia is China’s closest ally in Southeast Asia, while China is Cambodia’s most important ally and benefactor, with a strong influence on its economy.

Beyond military initiatives, China finances numerous other projects in Cambodia, particularly infrastructure, including airports and roads, but also private projects such as hotels, casinos, and real estate development. Roughly 40% of Cambodia’s $11 billion in foreign debt is owed to China.

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Rising reported from Bangkok.