Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - RCAF's Golden Dragon exercises with China wind down

RCAF's Golden Dragon exercises with China wind down

Cambodian troops perform at the closing ceremonies of the joint Chinese-Cambodian Golden Dragon military exercises Thursday.
Cambodian troops perform at the closing ceremonies of the joint Chinese-Cambodian Golden Dragon military exercises Thursday. Heng Chivoan

RCAF's Golden Dragon exercises with China wind down

Closing ceremonies of the joint Chinese-Cambodian Golden Dragon military exercises got underway on Thursday morning, with soldiers from both sides conducting heavy live-fire drills at Mreh Prov mountain in Kampong Speu province and officials from both countries giving speeches about their expanding relationship.

The exercises began March 15, and are being conducted under the banner of “counter-terrorism and humanitarian relief”. Hundreds of soldiers were participating.

Minister of Defence Tea Banh and Chinese Ambassador Xiong Bo oversaw the operations this morning, which included soldiers searching for mines and deactivating chemical bombs while Chinese helicopters in the nearby mountains demonstrated shooting rockets at "terrorist camps".

In a prepared speech, RCAF Deputy Commander in Chief Eth Sarath praised the growing relationship between China and Cambodia, which has increasingly pivoted towards Beijing as it alienates traditional Western development partners, particularly amid a widely criticised crackdown on the political opposition and civil society.

"Through the 2018 joint exercise, we have increased the relationship between RCAF and the Chinese People's Liberation Army to cooperate in all means and exchange experiences with each other, especially in making Cambodian soldiers increase their capability to another level in advancing their weaponry, modern technology and making a strategy in fulfilling the mission to fight against terrorists."

Updates to follow

MOST VIEWED

  • Joy as Koh Ker Temple registered by UNESCO

    Cambodia's Koh Ker Temple archaeological site has been officially added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 17. The ancient temple, also known as Lingapura or Chok Gargyar, is located in

  • Famed US collector family return artefacts to Cambodia

    In the latest repatriation of ancient artefacts from the US, a total of 33 pieces of Khmer cultural heritage will soon return home, according to the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts. In a September 12 press statement, it said the US Attorney’s Office for the

  • Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing

    To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable

  • CP denied registration documents by ministry

    The Ministry of Interior will not reissue registration documents to the Candlelight Party (CP). Following a September 21 meeting between ministry secretary of state Bun Honn and CP representatives, the ministry cited the fact that there is no relevant law which would authorise it to do

  • Manet touches down in Beijing for high-level meetings

    Prime Minister Hun Manet arrived in Beijing on September 14 for his first official visit to China, where he is slated to attend the 20th China-ASEAN Expo and meet other leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping. Upon his arrival, Manet laid a wreath at the Monument

  • Cambodian diaspora laud Manet’s UN Assembly visit

    Members of the Cambodian diaspora are rallying in support of Prime Minister Hun Manet’s forthcoming visit to the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78) in the US’ New York City this week. Their move is an apparent response to a recent call by self-exiled former