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HKFP
14-05-2025
- Business
- HKFP
From warships to robot battle dogs: Cambodia, China begin largest-ever military drills
Cambodia and China on Wednesday began their largest-ever joint military exercises, involving advanced Chinese military hardware including artillery, warships and robot battle dogs. Cambodia has long been a staunch ally of China, receiving billions of dollars in investments, and Washington has voiced concerns that Beijing is using a Cambodian naval base it renovated on Gulf of Thailand to expand its influence in the region. Nearly 900 Chinese military personnel and more than 1,300 Cambodian soldiers are taking part in the drills that will last until May 28, the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) said in a statement. The drills will feature advanced Chinese military hardware, including armoured vehicles, helicopters, warships, reconnaissance drones and robot battle dogs, the statement said. It said the annual exercises were to 'develop deeper ties and cooperation' between the two armies. 'The exercises are bigger than last year in term of both personnel and equipment,' RCAF spokesman Thong Solimo told AFP. He said a large Chinese naval vessel, the Changbai Shan, docked at Cambodia's Beijing-renovated Ream Naval Base on Monday with the military equipment for the drills. Cambodian political analyst Ou Virak told AFP that 'China does want to flex its muscle' and to send a message that 'it's a superpower' through the exercises, dubbed Golden Dragon. 'Definitely China is trying to… grow its influence within the region,' he said. 'Beyond just flexing the muscle, it needs to build confidence amongst its partners to say to the partners that China is growing, China is expanding, China is also getting stronger, both in size but also in technological advancement, as well as military might,' Ou Virak added. Cambodia is also expected to receive two warships from China. The first Golden Dragon drills were held in 2016, and in early 2017 Cambodia scrapped a similar joint exercise — 'Angkor Sentinel' — which had been held for the preceding seven years with US forces. The drills follow a two-day visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Cambodia in April to deepen ties between the two countries.
The Star
14-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Cambodia, China begin largest-ever military drills
Chinese navy personnel wave near a banner reading 'Bring peace and friendship to meet good friends' on the deck of the training ship Qijiguang as it prepares to dock during a welcome ceremony at the Sihanoukville port in Preah Sihanouk province on May 19, 2024. - Photo: AFP file PHNOM PENH: Cambodia and China on Wednesday (May 14) began their largest-ever joint military exercises, involving advanced Chinese military hardware including artillery, warships and robot battle dogs. Cambodia has long been a staunch ally of China, receiving billions of dollars in investments, and Washington has voiced concerns that Beijing is using a Cambodian naval base it renovated on Gulf of Thailand to expand its influence in the region. Nearly 900 Chinese military personnel and more than 1,300 Cambodian soldiers are taking part in the drills that will last until May 28, the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) said in a statement. The drills will feature advanced Chinese military hardware, including armoured vehicles, helicopters, warships, reconnaissance drones and robot battle dogs, the statement said. It said the annual exercises were to "develop deeper ties and cooperation" between the two armies. "The exercises are bigger than last year in term of both personnel and equipment," RCAF spokesman Thong Solimo told AFP. He said a large Chinese naval vessel, the Changbai Shan, docked at Cambodia's Beijing-renovated Ream Naval Base on Monday with the military equipment for the drills. Cambodian political analyst Ou Virak told AFP that "China does want to flex its muscle" and to send a message that "it's a superpower" through the exercises, dubbed Golden Dragon. "Definitely China is trying to... grow its influence within the region," he said. "Beyond just flexing the muscle, it needs to build confidence amongst its partners to say to the partners that China is growing, China is expanding, China is also getting stronger, both in size but also in technological advancement, as well as military might," Ou Virak added. Cambodia is also expected to receive two warships from China. The first Golden Dragon drills were held in 2016, and in early 2017 Cambodia scrapped a similar joint exercise -- "Angkor Sentinel" -- which had been held for the preceding seven years with US forces. The drills follow a two-day visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Cambodia in April to deepen ties between the two countries. - AFP
Hamilton Spectator
14-05-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Cambodia hosts China for their latest and largest joint military exercise
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Cambodia's armed forces on Wednesday launched their latest — and largest — Golden Dragon joint military exercise with China, with land, sea and air operations planned over the next two weeks. The initial exercise was in 2016, marking deepening relations between Cambodia and China while Cambodia canceled similar exercises with the United States. Cambodian officials recently proposed reviving exercises with U.S. forces, after Washington in the past year has sent several high-ranking military and civilian officials in an effort to increase its influence. Cambodia is China's closest ally in Southeast Asia, while Beijing is Cambodia's most important ally and benefactor, whose aid and investment have fueled Cambodia's rapid growth in recent decades. Chinese President Xi Jinping made a state visit to Cambodia in April. Beijing has helped fund an expansion of the Ream Naval Base on Cambodia's southern coast, raising worries it could become a strategic outpost for the Chinese navy in the Gulf of Thailand. Cambodia has repeatedly denied any agreement granting China special privileges or the establishment of a foreign military base. Cambodian leaders have said warships from all friendly countries are welcome to dock at its new pier, provided they comply with certain conditions. Two Japanese naval ships and one from Vietnam docked last month at the base, and a Chinese vessel arrived at Ream on Monday to take part in the exercises. A Cambodian military statement said the theme of this year's exercises is joint counter-terrorism operations and humanitarian relief. Among the equipment the militaries will use are reconnaissance and attack drones, surgical robots and robot dogs. This year's exercise is the biggest in the series. 'We conduct this exercise only to exchange experiences, strengthen our ability to defend ourselves and be able to participate in building peace in the region and the world,' Cambodian army spokesperson Gen. Thong Solimo told The Associated Press.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cambodia hosts China for their latest and largest joint military exercise
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Cambodia's armed forces on Wednesday launched their latest — and largest — Golden Dragon joint military exercise with China, with land, sea and air operations planned over the next two weeks. The initial exercise was in 2016, marking deepening relations between Cambodia and China while Cambodia canceled similar exercises with the United States. Cambodian officials recently proposed reviving exercises with U.S. forces, after Washington in the past year has sent several high-ranking military and civilian officials in an effort to increase its influence. Cambodia is China's closest ally in Southeast Asia, while Beijing is Cambodia's most important ally and benefactor, whose aid and investment have fueled Cambodia's rapid growth in recent decades. Chinese President Xi Jinping made a state visit to Cambodia in April. Beijing has helped fund an expansion of the Ream Naval Base on Cambodia's southern coast, raising worries it could become a strategic outpost for the Chinese navy in the Gulf of Thailand. Cambodia has repeatedly denied any agreement granting China special privileges or the establishment of a foreign military base. Cambodian leaders have said warships from all friendly countries are welcome to dock at its new pier, provided they comply with certain conditions. Two Japanese naval ships and one from Vietnam docked last month at the base, and a Chinese vessel arrived at Ream on Monday to take part in the exercises. A Cambodian military statement said the theme of this year's exercises is joint counter-terrorism operations and humanitarian relief. Among the equipment the militaries will use are reconnaissance and attack drones, surgical robots and robot dogs. This year's exercise is the biggest in the series. 'We conduct this exercise only to exchange experiences, strengthen our ability to defend ourselves and be able to participate in building peace in the region and the world,' Cambodian army spokesperson Gen. Thong Solimo told The Associated Press.
Winnipeg Free Press
14-05-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Cambodia hosts China for their latest and largest joint military exercise
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Cambodia's armed forces on Wednesday launched their latest — and largest — Golden Dragon joint military exercise with China, with land, sea and air operations planned over the next two weeks. The initial exercise was in 2016, marking deepening relations between Cambodia and China while Cambodia canceled similar exercises with the United States. Cambodian officials recently proposed reviving exercises with U.S. forces, after Washington in the past year has sent several high-ranking military and civilian officials in an effort to increase its influence. Cambodia is China's closest ally in Southeast Asia, while Beijing is Cambodia's most important ally and benefactor, whose aid and investment have fueled Cambodia's rapid growth in recent decades. Chinese President Xi Jinping made a state visit to Cambodia in April. Beijing has helped fund an expansion of the Ream Naval Base on Cambodia's southern coast, raising worries it could become a strategic outpost for the Chinese navy in the Gulf of Thailand. Cambodia has repeatedly denied any agreement granting China special privileges or the establishment of a foreign military base. Cambodian leaders have said warships from all friendly countries are welcome to dock at its new pier, provided they comply with certain conditions. Two Japanese naval ships and one from Vietnam docked last month at the base, and a Chinese vessel arrived at Ream on Monday to take part in the exercises. A Cambodian military statement said the theme of this year's exercises is joint counter-terrorism operations and humanitarian relief. Among the equipment the militaries will use are reconnaissance and attack drones, surgical robots and robot dogs. This year's exercise is the biggest in the series. 'We conduct this exercise only to exchange experiences, strengthen our ability to defend ourselves and be able to participate in building peace in the region and the world,' Cambodian army spokesperson Gen. Thong Solimo told The Associated Press.
