(Kampong Chhnang): The official opening ceremony of the 2025 Golden Dragon military exercise took place on Saturday morning (May 17) under the theme "Joint Counterterrorism Operations and Humanitarian Relief Work.”
More than 2,000 troops from the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and the Chinese People's Liberation Army participated, along with modern military equipment, on Cambodian territory.
The exercise aims to further strengthen bilateral ties, enhance comprehensive strategic cooperation, facilitate experience-sharing, align security perspectives, and improve both countries’ real-combat readiness in counterterrorism scenarios.
The joint exercise took place in the following locations. First, land and air operations at the Royal Gendarmerie Training Centre (Phnom Chum Sen Reak Reay) in Kampong Chhnang Province; second, naval and air operations in Cambodian maritime and airspace areas in Preah Sihanouk Province. Over 2,000 Cambodian and Chinese military personnel are participating. The exercise involves the use of advanced weapons and equipment, including artificial intelligence (AI), reflecting the modernization of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces in line with current developments.
The opening ceremony of the 7th Golden Dragon joint military exercise between Cambodian and Chinese forces was presided over by General Vong Pisen, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and Lyu Guangkun, Deputy Chief of Staff of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theatre Command and head of the Chinese delegation for the Golden Dragon exercise. The event took place at the Royal Gendarmerie Training Centre (Phnom Chum Sen Reak Reay) in Kampong Chhnang Province.
According to Pen Sokrethvithyea, Director of the Training Command for Cambodia, the 7th Cambodia-China joint land and air military exercise is taking place from 14-28 May 2025, at the at the Royal Gendarmerie Training Centre (Phnom Chum Sen Reak Reay) in Kampong Chhnang Province. Meanwhile, the joint naval and air exercise between Cambodian and Chinese forces is being conducted from 14-26 May 2025, in Cambodian maritime territory within Preah Sihanouk Province.
General Ith Sarath, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces mentioned that the Golden Dragon 2025 drill will focus on the theme “Joint Counterterrorism Operations and Humanitarian Relief Work.”
Cambodia will deploy 1,331 troops, while China will send 845 personnel for the joint training.
The Cambodian contingent will employ heavy artillery, mortars, armoured vehicles, rescue vehicles, ships, helicopters, and other weapons systems.
The Chinese forces will utilise heavy vehicle-mounted artillery, mortars, wheeled combat vehicles, tracked armoured vehicles, C5 command vehicles, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), surgical-type robots, robotic dogs, helicopters, warships, amphibious assault craft, reconnaissance and attack drones, light weaponry, surveillance equipment, medical supplies, explosives, and various types of non-lethal munitions.
The Cambodia-China Golden Dragon joint military exercise has been held seven times since its inception in 2016. The two sides temporarily suspended the exercise on three occasions: in 2017 due to Cambodia’s anti-drug campaign and commune elections, and again in 2021 and 2022 due to the COVID19 pandemic.
General Chhum Socheat, Secretary of State and Spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, stated that this joint exercise, like those held previously, is aimed at mutual exchange of experience, strengthening security, and combating terrorism. He emphasized that the drills are not intended as a threat or provocation to any country.
He continued that, “The 2025 Golden Dragon exercise reflects the fruitful and traditional friendship between Cambodia and China.”
It has been significantly enhanced through high-level engagements, especially the recent state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping in April, which has further boosted the building an all-weather Cambodia-China Community with a Shared Future in the New Era.
=FRESH NEWS
