US warship docks in Cambodia for first time in 8 years

China responded to the US warship’s visit by saying such exchanges should promote regional peace and stability, ‘rather than the opposite’

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Members of the Cambodian military look on as the USS Savannah combat ship prepares to dock in Cambodia’s southern port city of Sihanoukville on Monday. Photo: AFP

Published: 10:55am, 17 Dec 2024Updated: 10:57am, 17 Dec 2024

A US warship has docked in Cambodia kilometres away from a Chinese-renovated naval base, in the first American military port call to one of Beijing’s closest regional allies in eight years.

Washington’s relationship with Phnom Penh has been deteriorating for years, with China pouring billions of dollars into infrastructure investment under Cambodia’s former leader Hun Sen.

Cambodian navy personnel welcomed the USS Savannah’s arrival to the southern port city of Sihanoukville on Monday.

The ship’s commanding officer Daniel A. Sledz said “it is great to be back, returning US presence here after eight years”, adding that his crew were “very pleased” to be hosted by Cambodia.

The US embassy posted a statement on social media on Monday saying the combat ship was on a “goodwill visit” that aims to “boost US-Cambodia coordination and response to shared maritime security challenges”.

Daniel A. Sledz (left), commanding officer of the USS Savannah, receives a bouquet of flowers from Cambodian naval personnel at Sihanoukville port on Monday. Photo: AP

Cambodia’s defence ministry said on Friday that the five-day visit aimed to “strengthen and expand friendship” and “promote bilateral cooperation”.