Phnom Penh (FN), Jun. 8 – The commander-in-chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) issued a statement on Thursday night (June 8) regarding ASEAN joint military drills.

“The outcomes of the 20th ASEAN Chief of Defence Forces Meeting (ACDFM 2023) in Bali, Indonesia on 7 June 2023 issued a joint statement that does not indicate ASEAN joint military drills in the South China Sea.”

The statement came after Indonesia announced that ASEAN member countries have agreed to hold their first-ever joint military drills in the South China Sea.

At the end of the meeting, commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces outlined the idea for joint military drills in the South China Sea and sought the advice of the other nine military chiefs of ASEAN member countries, but there were no response.

At the bilateral meeting, the Indonesian commander once again asked for the opinion of the commander-in-chief of the RCAF.

In this regard, the commander-in-chief of the RCAF responded as follows:

1. Upon receiving the invitation of commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces, we will assign a working group to study the joint military drills.

2. After the study is done, the commander-in-chief of the RCAF will request a decision from the Ministry of National Defense of Cambodia.
=FRESH NEWS