(Dan Tri) – The US has imposed an arms embargo and export restrictions on Cambodia because of China’s growing influence in the country.

Ream naval base in Cambodia (Photo: EPA).

US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo’s statement on December 8 called on Cambodia to `make meaningful progress` in resolving issues such as corruption as well as `reducing the influence of the Chinese military in Cambodia.`

Along with the arms embargo, the US also restricts Cambodia’s access to equipment that can be used for both civil and military purposes, less sensitive military equipment, and national equipment and services.

However, Commerce Minister Gina Raimondo affirmed that `the US remains fully committed to Cambodia’s independence and the sovereignty of the Cambodian people.`

In November, the US Department of State, Treasury and Commerce simultaneously announced sanctions against two Cambodian officials accused of profiting from construction at the US-funded Ream naval base.

The above move took place in the context that a year ago, Cambodia announced that it had bulldozed a US-funded facility at the Ream naval base to serve the expansion of the facility.

The US accused Cambodia of lacking transparency about China’s construction activities at this base, urging Cambodian officials to disclose the entire `intent, nature and scale of the project or the role of the Chinese military`.

China and Cambodia are said to have signed a `secret agreement` allowing Beijing to station troops, store weapons and anchor warships at the Ream naval base.

In October last year, Cambodia denied the above speculations and said that the demolition of the building inside the Ream base was to serve the base’s expansion plan.

The US moves reflect Washington’s efforts to reduce China’s growing influence in the region, as Cambodia has become one of China’s most important partners in Southeast Asia.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said in September that China had agreed to provide aid of up to 272 million USD to Cambodia and this aid was announced during the visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Prime Minister Hun Sen said that China is a `trusted friend` and called the giving of the above gifts `a new turning point in the friendly relationship between Cambodia and China`.

China is becoming an increasingly important economic and political ally of Cambodia.