Two Chinese warships arrived in Cambodia for exercises 0
(Dan Tri) – Two Chinese warships have docked in Cambodia to participate in the largest joint military exercise ever with the Southeast Asian country.
People wave Cambodian and Chinese flags as the Chinese training ship Qijiguang prepares to dock (Photo: AFP).
On May 19, China’s training ship Qijiguang and amphibious warship Jinggangshan docked at Cambodia’s Sihanoukville port as part of a 15-day land and sea exercise.
The Qijiguang carried the banner `Bring peace and friendship to meet good friends` as it approached the port.
`We are friends as strong as iron,` Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wentian told reporters.
The ambassador said China-Cambodia military cooperation `benefits the security of both countries and the security of the region`.
The `Golden Dragon 2024` exercise between the Chinese and Cambodian armies opened on May 16 and lasted 15 days at the Military Police Training Center in Kampong Chhnang province and Ream military port in Preah Sihanouk province.
Major General Thong Solimo, spokesman for the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF), said this is the sixth military exercise between the two countries and is larger in scale than previous exercises, with more than 1,300
He said: `The exercise will include live fire, an annual bilateral cooperation activity between Cambodia and China to exchange experiences. The exercise will also improve capabilities, using new types of weapons.`
Combat vehicles, weapons and firearms, demining equipment, infectious disease prevention equipment, chemical weapons defense equipment, communications equipment and combat aircraft, he said
In addition, helicopters also participated in the closing exercise along with three Chinese navy ships currently docked at Ream base.
Mr. Solimo emphasized that the exercise will focus on mobile operations, surveillance and blockade, protection of officials, hostage rescue, on-site maintenance, mine clearance and infectious disease response.
He revealed that all costs for the exercise will be paid by the Chinese government and observers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) while a number of other foreign countries will also participate.
Previously, on May 6, the Chinese Ministry of National Defense issued a statement saying that the army of this country and Cambodia will conduct the joint exercise `Golden Dragon 2024` with the theme of anti-terrorism and humanitarian relief activities.
The ministry said that the exercise will further strengthen the relationship between the two countries’ militaries.
Cambodia and China conducted the `Golden Dragon` exercise five times previously in 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2023. In 2021 and 2022, the event was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
