Phnom Penh [Cambodia], June 5: Here, Mr. Austin had private meetings with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Senate President Hun Sen and Cambodian Defense Minister Tea Seiha. The visit is Secretary Austin 's first to Cambodia since Hun Manet became prime minister in 2023, heralding the beginning of a US-Cambodia thaw amid concerns about the growing presence of Cambodia. Chinese tanks at a Cambodian naval base, according to Reuters .
"We had substantive conversations about ways to strengthen the US-Cambodia defense relationship and I look forward to further dialogue," Mr. Austin shared about the meetings, in a post on the platform X social media.
During the meetings, officials discussed opportunities to strengthen the U.S.-Cambodia defense relationship to support regional peace and security, including through resuming military training exchanges . creating mine clearance and Cambodia's participation in US military education programs, said Pentagon Press Secretary Major General Pat Ryder .
"This type of cooperation is important for the future," said a US defense official. "Cambodia is an emerging country in a young region. Our defense relationship is very There is a lot of potential and room for development. That is why continued cooperation between the two countries is very important."
For his part, Mr. Hun Manet announced on the social platform Telegram that Cambodia and the US have discussed ways to resume cooperation, including Cambodia's access to US military education programs and military exercises. joint military battle between the two countries.
US relations with Cambodia have been frosty for years, largely due to the country's close relationship with China, and China's increased military presence at the Ream naval base . Last month, China sent two warships to Cambodia and East Timor on a maritime visit that lasted until mid-June.
The US Department of Defense said that from Cambodia, Mr. Austin will go to France to attend events commemorating the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in World War II.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
