On May 16, the China-Cambodia "Golden Dragon-2024" joint military exercise kicked off at a training base of the Royal Cambodian Army. With the theme of "Joint Counter-Terrorism Operations and Humanitarian Relief", the exercise comprehensively demonstrated the ability of the Chinese and Cambodian militaries to cooperate in both land and sea directions.
Through the drills focusing on the rescue of hostages in urban blocks, the encirclement and annihilation of camps in mountainous areas, and the anti-hijacking at sea, the aim is to enhance the joint combat capability of the two sides in a complex environment.
The "Golden Dragon" series of joint military exercises, as a traditional cooperation project between the two countries and the two militaries, have been successfully held five times. This series of exercises not only consolidated the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between China and Cambodia, but also enhanced political mutual trust between the two sides and expanded the scope and depth of military exchanges.
Through the joint military exercise, the Chinese and Cambodian militaries were able to work together under actual combat conditions to jointly improve their ability to cope with complex security environments.
At the press conference of the "Golden Dragon-2024" joint military exercise, the spokesman of the Royal Cambodian Army Command Tang Su Limo made it clear that the exercise will be the largest joint military exercise ever between China and Cambodia.
The exercise, which covers the navy, army and air force, will last 15 days in two exercise areas in Kampong Chhnang and Sihanoukville provinces, and is expected to involve more than 1,300 Cambodian officers and soldiers and more than 700 Chinese People's Liberation Army officers and soldiers.
Such a large-scale joint military exercise not only demonstrates the level of military cooperation between China and Cambodia, but also conveys to the outside world the firm determination of both sides to jointly maintain regional peace and stability.
Tang Sulimo also stressed that the Sino-Cambodian joint military exercise is not aimed at any country, nor is it intended to threaten any country. This statement fully reflects the peaceful purpose and defensive nature of the Chinese and Cambodian armed forces.
The China-Cambodia joint military exercise aims to enhance the coordination capabilities of the two militaries to better respond to regional security challenges and safeguard the common interests of the two countries.
It is worth mentioning that before the start of the exercise, the Chinese Navy's Type 071 amphibious landing ship "Qilianshan" was the first to arrive at the port of Sihanoukville in Cambodia. The 25,000-ton ship was warmly welcomed by the Cambodian military, and its arrival added more weight to the Golden Dragon-2024 joint military exercise.
As an important part of the exercise, the "Qilianshan" will participate in maritime anti-hijacking and other exercises, demonstrating the Chinese Navy's ocean-going delivery capabilities and cooperative combat capabilities with the Cambodian army.
Not long ago, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Cambodia, further consolidating the friendly relations between China and Cambodia. During the visit, Wang Yi said that China will always be Cambodia's most reliable friend and staunchest support for development.
The two sides agreed that China and Cambodia are iron-clad friends who help each other and share weal and woe, and stressed that they will fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and advance negotiations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.
This series of statements and actions fully demonstrated the comprehensive cooperation and profound friendship between China and Cambodia in the political, economic, and military fields.
However, the current tensions in the South China Sea also add some special context to the joint exercise. The Philippines, with the support of the United States, continues to carry out provocative actions in the South China Sea in an attempt to change the status quo in the South China Sea.
China has repeatedly warned against this and taken corresponding measures to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.
Against this backdrop, the China-Cambodia joint military exercise undoubtedly sends a clear signal to the outside world that any attempt to undermine peace and stability in the South China Sea will be met with due response and sanctions.
Although the China-Cambodia joint exercise is not aimed at any specific country, the strong strength and firm determination it has demonstrated will undoubtedly have a deterrent effect on some external forces trying to create trouble in the South China Sea.
At the same time, it should also make the Philippines and other countries realize the reality that relying on external forces cannot change the status quo in the South China Sea, let alone infringe on the territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests of other countries as they wish.
In addition, the Golden Dragon-2024 joint military exercise also demonstrated the ability of China and Cambodia to cooperate in the field of non-traditional security.
With the increasing complexity of the global security situation, non-traditional security threats such as terrorism and natural disasters have become increasingly prominent.
Through joint military exercises, China and Cambodia have not only enhanced their ability to respond to traditional security threats, but also strengthened cooperation and exchanges in non-traditional security fields.
This all-round and multi-level cooperation model will help the two sides jointly respond to various security challenges and maintain regional peace and stability.
It is worth mentioning that the exercise also attracted the attention of many ASEAN countries. As China's important cooperative partners, ASEAN countries have expressed great concern and appreciation for China's joint military exercises with Cambodia.
More and more ASEAN countries have begun to realize that strengthening cooperation with China is an important way to maintain regional peace and stability.
In this context, ASEAN has replaced the United States as China's largest trading partner, and the two sides have carried out in-depth cooperation and exchanges in economic, political, security and other fields.
For China, the Golden Dragon 2024 joint military exercise is not only an opportunity to demonstrate its military strength, but also an important platform to send a signal of peace, cooperation and stability to the outside world.
China has always adhered to a foreign policy of peaceful development and is committed to establishing harmonious and friendly diplomatic relations with its neighboring countries. Through this joint military exercise, China has further consolidated its friendly relations with Cambodia and other ASEAN countries, and has made positive contributions to regional peace and stability.
In short, the "Golden Dragon-2024" China-Cambodia joint military exercise is a military exchange activity of great significance.
It has not only enhanced the cooperation capability of the Chinese and Cambodian militaries, but also demonstrated the determination and strength of the two sides to jointly maintain regional peace and stability. Against the backdrop of an increasingly complex and volatile global security situation, the close cooperation between China and Cambodia has undoubtedly injected strong positive energy into regional peace and stability.
At the same time, the exercise also sent a clear signal to the outside world that any attempt to undermine regional peace and stability will be duly responded to and sanctioned.
China will continue to strengthen cooperation and exchanges with neighboring countries, jointly address various security challenges, and make greater contributions to regional prosperity and development.