PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Cambodia's Defense Ministry insisted Wednesday that the months-long presence of two Chinese warships in a strategically important naval base that is being newly expanded with funding from Beijing does not constitute a permanent deployment of the Chinese military in the country.
Questions had arisen after the Center for Strategic and International Studies reported last month that two Chinese corvettes that docked at the Ream Naval Base's new pier in December had maintained a nearly permanent presence there since.
Current satellite images, analyzed by The Associated Press, confirm that the two ships remained there on Wednesday, more than five months since they initially appeared.
The United States and others have long worried that the new pier at the Ream Naval Base, built with Chinese funding, could serve as a new outpost for the Chinese navy on the Gulf of Thailand, but Cambodia has said that would not happen.
Asked about why the two ships had been there for five months, Defense Ministry spokesperson Gen. Chhum Socheat told the AP they were due to take part in a joint Cambodian-Chinese military exercise later this month, and that they were also involved in training Cambodian sailors.
“We have been clear that Cambodia is not allowing any foreign forces to be deployed on its territory,” he said. “That won't happen; that point is in our Constitution and we are fully following it.”
He said the ships were also “testing” the new pier, and that they were on show for Cambodia, which was considering purchasing similar warships for its own navy.
“The ships are docked for the training period only, they are not staying permanently,” he said.
Controversy over Ream Naval Base initially arose in 2019 when The Wall Street Journal reported that an early draft of a reputed agreement seen by U.S. officials would allow China 30-year use of the base, where it would be able to post military personnel, store weapons and berth warships.
The base sits adjacent to the South China Sea, where China has aggressively asserted its claim to virtually the entire strategic waterway, and also provides easy access to the Malacca Straits, a critical shipping route leading from it to the Indian Ocean.
The U.S. has refused to recognize China’s sweeping claim and routinely conducts military maneuvers there to reinforce that they are international waters.
Cambodia’s then-Prime Minister Hun Sen denied there was such an agreement. He pointed out that Cambodia’s Constitution does not allow foreign military bases to be established on its soil, but said visiting ships from all nations are welcome.
Defense Ministry spokesperson Chhum Socheat also said in a post on Facebook late Tuesday that the current prime minister, Hun Sen's son Hun Manet, had made similar comments in April.
In its report, however, Washington-based CSIS noted that two Japanese destroyers that had made a port call in February were routed to a different port, and that Cambodia's own boats had continued to use the base's older, smaller pier to the south.
China only operates one acknowledged foreign military base, in the impoverished but strategically important Horn of Africa nation of Djibouti, but many believe that its military is busy establishing an overseas network.
The U.S. has more foreign military bases than any other country, including multiple facilities in the Asia-Pacific region.
This satellite photo taken by Planet Labs PBC shows two Chinese corvettes docked at the Ream Naval Base on the Gulf of Thailand on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Cambodia's Defense Ministry insisted Wednesday that the monthslong presence of two Chinese warships at a strategically important naval base that has been newly expanded with funding from Beijing does not constitute a permanent deployment of the Chinese military in the country. (Planet Labs PBC via AP)
This satellite photo taken by Planet Labs PBC shows two Chinese corvettes docked at the Ream Naval Base on the Gulf of Thailand on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Cambodia's Defense Ministry insisted Wednesday that the monthslong presence of two Chinese warships at a strategically important naval base that has been newly expanded with funding from Beijing does not constitute a permanent deployment of the Chinese military in the country. (Planet Labs PBC via AP)
ROME (AP) — The Italian Open was where it all began for Alexander Zverev with his first Masters Series title seven years ago.
On Sunday, another Rome trophy signaled a career revival.
Zverev put on a serving clinic to beat 24th-ranked Nicolas Jarry 6-4, 7-5 and earn his biggest trophy since tearing his ankle apart two years ago.
“The last two years have been extremely difficult,” Zverev said during the trophy ceremony. “I didn’t know whether I was ever going to be on this stage — regardless of winning or losing — so this moment is extremely special.”
It was Zverev’s third final in Rome. He won in 2017 by beating Novak Djokovic in straight sets then lost to Rafael Nadal in the title match a year later.
"Rome is a very special place for me,” Zverev said.
Zverev opened the match with three straight aces and won 20 of his 21 service points in the first set. The German didn't drop a point on his first serve until late in the second set when the 6-foot-7 (2.01 meter) Jarry ran down a well-placed drop shot and replied with a cross-court winner.
In all, Zverev won 44 of his 49 service points — helped by getting in 95% of his first serves.
“His service, apart from being very good, is very different from all the other servers. He takes the ball very high, so the bounce is very special,” Jarry said. “It took me time to get the trajectory of it.”
It’s been a long road of recovery for the fifth-ranked Zverev after tearing three ligaments in his right ankle during the 2022 French Open semifinals against Rafael Nadal.
When Zverev broke Jarry to convert his fourth match point, he dropped to his knees on the red clay court, leaned back and let out a scream.
This year’s French Open starts next Sunday and now Zverev has established himself among the favorites again — especially with top-ranked Djokovic and 14-time Roland Garros champion Nadal both struggling lately. Djokovic and Nadal were eliminated in the second and third rounds, respectively, in Rome.
There are also injury concerns for second-ranked Jannik Sinner (hip) and third-ranked Carlos Alcaraz (right forearm) — who both withdrew from Rome.
“The focus is on Paris," Zverev said. "But let me enjoy this one for a day or so, and then I’ll have my full focus on Paris.”
Zverev, who has disputed a penalty order from a German court over allegations that he caused bodily harm to a woman, faces a trial starting during Roland Garros. He said recently that he won’t attend the start of the legal proceedings.
And Zverev isn’t 100% healthy either. He had the pinky on his left hand bandaged due to a fall in his quarterfinal win over Taylor Fritz, after which he said he “tore a capsule” and that his finger was “crooked.” The German plays right-handed but uses a two-handed backhand.
Zverev will also be defending his gold medal when the Paris Olympics tennis tournament is held at Roland Garros starting in late July.
Jarry, a Chilean playing in his first Masters Series final, upset Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarterfinals.
“This has been an incredible week," Jarry said.
Jarry was cheered on by his grandfather, Jaime Fillol, who was a top-20 player and who gave Jarry his first racket as a kid. Fillol was on Chile’s Davis Cup team that lost the 1976 final to Italy.
Jarry's wife and two sons were also courtside and he grew emotional during the trophy ceremony and had to look away from his family to regain his composure.
“This is a fantastic example of what a family life on tour can look like,” Zverev said.
“I’m not so emotional,” Zverev added. “My dad cries, I don’t cry. It’s a good mix.”
It was Zverev’s first Masters final since getting beat by Alcaraz at the 2022 Madrid Open. The only previous titles he won since his ankle injury came in Hamburg, Germany, and Chengdu, China, last year.
Zverev earned a winner’s check of 963,225 euros (more than $1 million).
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek beat No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka in the women’s final on Saturday.
In the women’s doubles final, Coco Gauff double faulted on match point to hand Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini of Italy the title with a 6-3, 4-6, (10-8) victory. Gauff teamed with Erin Routliffe.
Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos beat Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic 6-2, 6-2 for the men’s doubles title.
AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
Nicolas Jarry, of Chile, plays with his children Santiago and Juan after his Italian Open tennis tournament final match against Alexander Zverev, of Germany, at Rome's Foro Italico, Sunday, May 19, 2024. Zverev won 6-4/7-5. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Alexander Zverev, of Germany, poses with his trophy and his parents, Alexander and Irina, after defeating Nicolas Jarry, of Chile, in the Italian Open tennis tournament final match at Rome's Foro Italico, Sunday, May 19, 2024. Zverev won 6-4/7-5. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Second placed Nicolas Jarry, of Chile, left and winner Alexander Zverev, of Germany, pose with their awards at the end of his Italian Open tennis tournament final match against Alexander Zverev, of Germany, at Rome's Foro Italico, Sunday, May 19, 2024. Zverev won 6-4/7-5. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Nicolas Jarry, of Chile, serves to Alexander Zverev, of Germany, during the Italian Open tennis tournament final match at Rome's Foro Italico, Sunday, May 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Alexander Zverev, of Germany, reacts during his Italian Open tennis tournament final match against Nicolas Jarry, of Chile, at Rome's Foro Italico, Sunday, May 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Alexander Zverev, of Germany, prepares to serve to Nicolas Jarry, of Chile, during the Italian Open tennis tournament final match at Rome's Foro Italico, Sunday, May 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Nicolas Jarry, of Chile, prepares to serve to Alexander Zverev, of Germany during the Italian Open tennis tournament final match at Rome's Foro Italico, Sunday, May 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Nicolas Jarry, of Chile, returns the ball to Alexander Zverev, of Germany during the Italian Open tennis tournament final match at Rome's Foro Italico, Sunday, May 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Alexanders Zverev, of Germany, left, serves to Nicolas Jarry, of Chile, during the Italian Open tennis tournament final match at Rome's Foro Italico, Sunday, May 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Nicolas Jarry, of Chile, wipes his face during his Italian Open tennis tournament final match against Alexander Zverev, of Germany, at Rome's Foro Italico, Sunday, May 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Alexander Zverev, of Germany, right, and Nicolas Jarry, of Chile, embrace each other at the end of the Italian Open tennis tournament final match at Rome's Foro Italico, Sunday, May 19, 2024. Zverev won 6-4/7-5. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Alexander Zverev, of Germany, reacts after defeating Nicolas Jarry, of Chile, in the Italian Open tennis tournament final match at Rome's Foro Italico, Sunday, May 19, 2024. Zverev won 6-4/7-5. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Alexander Zverev, of Germany, returns with a backhand to Nicolas Jarry, of Chile, during the Italian Open tennis tournament final match at Rome's Foro Italico, Sunday, May 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Alexander Zverev, of Germany, serves to Nicolas Jarry, of Chile, during the Italian Open tennis tournament final match at Rome's Foro Italico, Sunday, May 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Alexander Zverev, of Germany, reacts after scoring a point against Nicolas Jarry, of Chile, during the Italian Open tennis tournament final match at Rome's Foro Italico, Sunday, May 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Alexander Zverev, of Germany, poses with his trophy after defeating Nicolas Jarry, of Chile, in the Italian Open tennis tournament final match at Rome's Foro Italico, Sunday, May 19, 2024. Zverev won 6-4/7-5. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Alexander Zverev, of Germany, reacts after defeating Nicolas Jarry, of Chile, in the Italian Open tennis tournament final match at Rome's Foro Italico, Sunday, May 19, 2024. Zverev won 6-4/7-5. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
