China, Cambodia conclude Golden Dragon exercise

Chinese soldiers participate in the Golden Dragon 2023 joint military exercise at the Royal Gendarmerie Training Center in Cambodia on March 23 (Photo: Xinhua)

According to the Chinese Ministry of National Defense , during the "Golden Dragon 2023" exercise from March 23 to April 5, the Chinese and Cambodian militaries conducted a series of exercises, from blockade and control, hostage rescue, epidemic disinfection, mine clearance and explosive disposal.

The exercise, which concluded this week, was the fifth between China and Cambodia, a Southeast Asian country with a traditionally cooperative relationship with China. But it was the first time the two countries’ exercises included naval exercises in waters off Sihanoukville, a city in southwestern Cambodia on the Gulf of Thailand.

Chinese military activities were significantly curtailed during the Covid-19 outbreak, but since Beijing lifted Covid-19 restrictions, military exchanges have resumed at a rapid pace.

In addition to the typical drills aimed at improving military capabilities, the exercise also included soft skills, with soldiers from both countries holding cultural performances on the sidelines such as singing, dancing and calligraphy. According to Chinese state media, these activities could “deepen understanding and friendship” between the two countries.

Chinese media reported that the country's military also donatededucational materials and medicine to Cambodian communities.

Cambodia mobilized about 3,000 personnel to participate in the exercise, while China's Southern Theater Command mobilized more than 200 soldiers from the navy, army and joint logistics support force. More than 300 military vehicles and other equipment designed for mine clearance, explosives disposal and epidemic control were also deployed.

The exercise comes amid fierce competition between China and the United States in the Asia-Pacific region, where the US is strengthening ties with regional countries such as the Philippines and Australia.

In a move seen as a breakthrough, the Philippines in February granted the US access to four new bases, in addition to the five bases the US already uses to train military personnel and store US equipment.

Last month, Australia confirmed plans to buy nuclear-powered submarines under the trilateral AUKUS treaty with the UK and the US.

Cambodia is said to have been moving closer to China in recent years. Assessing the latest joint military exercise between the two countries, David Silbey, a military historian at Cornell University, USA, said that this is an activity with both political and military significance.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/trung-quoc-campuchia-ket-thuc-tap-tran-rong-vang-20230408142347192.htm