Government spokesman Phay Siphan slammed the recent reports of a “secret deal” allowing China to use a Cambodian naval base as “the worst of fake news” and “political in nature”.

The Government Spokespersons Unit held a press conference on Thursday to deny reports by the Wall Street Journal and other international media outlets that Cambodia has signed a secret agreement allowing the Chinese military to use the Kingdom’s Ream Naval Base for 30 years.

“These groundless allegations are the worst of fake news and affect Cambodia’s reputation. The government considers this negative fabricated news to be political in nature. It is unacceptable on the part of Cambodia’s leaders and its people, who are voters and decide the fate of their country.

“The reports, which fail to quote a clear source, have not only affected Cambodia’s reputation but also misled people and devalued journalistic professionalism and its code of ethics,” Siphan told reporters.

Cambodia, he said, was a state with complete sovereignty and territorial integrity, and so would never allow foreigners to interfere in its internal affairs.

Minister of National Defence Tea Banh had allowed journalists to inspect Ream Naval Base in Preah Sihanouk province to see whether or not the reports were true, ministry spokesman Chhum Socheat said.

“I would like to strongly state that these reports are untrue and all have been fabricated with the ill intention to incite and cause division. It is unprofessional journalism questioning Cambodian independence and territorial integrity that damages the Kingdom’s prestige,” Socheat said.

Cambodia’s army could defend the nation so the presence of any foreign military on the Kingdom’s soil was unnecessary, he added.

“We have never made any such agreement as reported by foreign media outlets,” he stressed.

Kin Phea, the director of the International Relations Institute at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said he considered the reports to be part of a US agenda to impose sanctions on the Kingdom for geopolitical gain.

“Cambodia does not have any intention to cause discord with any powers and wants to live wit peace and political stability in the region and the world. Cambodia wants friendly relations with all nations, Phea said.

Political analyst Lao Mong Hay said it would be wiser and more reassuring if the government were to simply affirm the Kingdom’s policy of permanent neutrality and non-alignment as enshrined in its constitution, whereby it cannot join any military alliance or pact or permit foreign military bases on its territory.

“As a state actively pursuing a policy of peaceful coexistence, Cambodia would welcome any investigation should the UN Security Council decide one is needed,” Mong Hay said.

US embassy spokesperson Emily Zeeberg told The Post via email on Thursday that the US continues to promote the peace and prosperity of Southeast Asia and the stability of Asean.

“We are concerned that a possible Chinese military presence in Cambodia would both threaten regional stability and the position of Asean,” she said, adding that they are concerned such a base could undermine the prospects for the peaceful settlement of disputes, the promotion of maritime safety and security, and the freedom of navigation and overflight.

“The US seeks a constructive bilateral relationship with Cambodia that serves the interests of both the American and Cambodian peoples,” Zeeberg said.

The embassy is also monitoring media reports regarding the potential military use of the Dara Sakor Beachside Resort in Koh Kong province.

In January, the Cambodian government requested US assistance in repairing the US-funded Cambodian navy tactical facility at Ream Naval Base, she said. However, in June the request was withdrawn without explanation.

“This causes us to wonder if the Cambodian leadership’s plans for Ream Naval Base include the possible hosting of foreign military assets and personnel on Cambodian soil,” Zeeberg said.