Two Chinese warships docked at Cambodia’s Sihanoukville port on Sunday, initiating a series of joint military exercises between China and Cambodia. The Jingangshan amphibious warfare ship and the Qijiguang training ship arrived at the commercial port, which is situated north of the Ream Naval Base.
China and Cambodia commenced their annual Golden Dragon military drills on Thursday. This year’s exercises involve 760 Chinese military personnel, approximately 1,300 Cambodian troops, and 11 Cambodian vessels. The drills are scheduled to last for 15 days, with the naval component set to take place near the Gulf of Thailand next week.
The Ream Naval Base, where two Chinese corvettes have been docked for the past five months, has attracted international attention due to its strategic location and the potential implications for regional security. The United States and other nations have expressed concerns that the expansion of the Ream base could allow China to establish a significant military presence in the Gulf of Thailand.
Cambodia’s army commander in chief, Gen. Vong Pisen, expressed gratitude to China for its assistance in upgrading military facilities, including the Ream Naval Base. He emphasized Cambodia’s official stance that no foreign military bases would be established on its territory, a point reiterated by Cambodian officials amidst ongoing collaboration with Chinese forces.
The Golden Dragon exercises, first held in December 2016, are conducted annually but had been paused for the past three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s drills are the largest to date, underscoring the strengthening military ties between China and Cambodia.
The naval exercises are a key part of the broader Golden Dragon maneuvers, which aim to enhance cooperation and interoperability between the two countries’ armed forces. These drills come at a time of increasing geopolitical tension in Southeast Asia, with significant implications for regional security dynamics.
As part of the exercises, Chinese and Cambodian forces will conduct a series of coordinated operations, including amphibious landings, maritime security patrols, and live-fire drills. The involvement of advanced Chinese warships and training vessels highlights the scale and complexity of this year’s maneuvers.
China’s ambassador to Cambodia, Wang Wentian, addressed concerns about the Ream base, stating that China’s naval activities in the region are intended to promote friendship and cooperation. He stressed that the collaboration between China and Cambodia’s military forces aims to enhance security for both nations and contribute to regional stability.
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