The USS Cincinnati, a U.S. Navy warship, arrived at Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base on Saturday, marking the first visit by an American military vessel to the facility since its Chinese-funded renovation was completed early last year. The visit signals warming military ties between the United States and Cambodia after years of tension.
The arrival underscores a broader effort by the U.S. military to engage Southeast Asian partners and counter Chinese influence, while Cambodia’s government seeks to balance relationships with both powers.
Ream Naval Base, located on Cambodia’s Gulf of Thailand coast, underwent a major upgrade funded by China, including construction of a new pier and dry dock facility. The base’s renovation fueled concerns in Washington that Beijing may have secured exclusive military access to the site, though the Cambodian government has denied any such exclusive arrangement since reports of a potential 30-year Chinese military agreement emerged in 2019.
USS Cincinnati’s Port Call
The USS Cincinnati, an Independence-class littoral combat ship designed to operate in shallow waters near coastlines, carries a crew of about 100. The vessel is scheduled to remain in port through Jan. 28, with the crew participating in sporting events and meetings with local officials in the nearby city of Sihanoukville.
Cambodia’s military leadership emphasized the base’s openness to all nations. “At this location our government has worked very hard to build this port so that all foreign vessels that wish to dock in Cambodia can do so,” said In Sokhemra, deputy commander of Ream Naval Base. “We have succeeded in this effort, and we are open from this moment forward for all to enter. Whether it is American ships, Australian, Japanese or any other ships that wish to dock in Cambodia, this port is ready for you.”
A Historic Thaw in Relations
The visit represents a significant thaw in U.S.-Cambodia military relations. The Cambodian Navy reported that from 2003 through 2026, some 37 U.S. warships visited Cambodian facilities. The last visit by a U.S. military vessel was the USS Savannah’s five-day call at Sihanoukville’s civilian port in December 2024, marking the first such visit in eight years.
The warming ties began in 2024 when then-U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin met with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet to discuss bilateral military cooperation. Both men are graduates of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. The Cincinnati’s port call coincides with a scheduled meeting between Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, and Cambodian Defense Minister Tea Seiha.
Strengthening Cooperation
In a statement, the U.S. Navy said the visit “reaffirms a shared commitment to regional security, peace and prosperity.” The Navy said the crew would conduct ship tours and meet with key leaders during the port call.