Since 2022, China has been funding the renovation of the Ream naval base, some 30km from Sihanoukville, which was initially constructed partly utilizing US funds.
Washington has stated the Ream base might give Beijing a key strategic place within the Gulf of Thailand close to the disputed South China Sea, which China claims nearly in its entirety.
Cambodian leaders have repeatedly denied that the bottom is to be used by any overseas energy.
Chinese language warships first docked on the 363m pier in December final yr. Two berthed at Sihanoukville port in Might as a part of Beijing’s largest joint army drills with Cambodia.
The Chinese language army unveiled machine gun-equipped “robodogs” this yr on the annual joint workouts, referred to as the “Golden Dragon” drills.
In early 2017, Cambodia scrapped comparable joint workouts with US forces that had been held for the earlier seven years.
Cambodia’s defence ministry stated 27 US navy vessels have visited the nation since 2007, though the USS Savannah’s go to with 103 crew members was the primary docking in eight years.
The ship’s senior officers will meet with the Ream base’s commander.
On Monday, Beijing responded to the US warship’s go to to Sihanoukville saying “such exchanges and collaborations in safety and defence ought to contribute to selling regional peace and stability, relatively than the alternative”.
US Protection Secretary Lloyd Austin visited Cambodia in June to reset ties with the staunch China ally.
Cambodia’s overseas minister Prak Sokhonn and the US embassy’s Bridgette Walker final week hailed the “reinvigoration” of army ties between the 2 international locations.
