Cambodia and China Conduct Annual Golden Dragon Military Exercise to Strengthen Ties and Exchange Expertise

Cambodia and China are set to commence their annual Golden Dragon military drills this week, aiming to bolster cooperation and share military expertise, according to a Cambodian official. The 15-day exercise will see the participation of 1,315 Cambodian and 760 Chinese military personnel, supported by three Chinese and 11 Cambodian ships. Maj. Gen. Thong Solimo, a spokesperson for the Cambodian army, stated that the exercises, beginning Thursday, will focus on counter-terrorism and humanitarian relief efforts within both nations and the broader region.

The Golden Dragon exercises, which started in December 2016 following Cambodia’s cancellation of similar drills with the United States known as Angkor Sentinel, underscore the deepening military ties between Cambodia and China. China, described as having an “ironclad” friendship with Cambodia, stands as the nation’s most crucial ally in Southeast Asia, significantly influencing its economy.

Cambodia benefits from numerous Chinese-funded infrastructure projects, including airports and roads, as well as private ventures like hotels, casinos, and property developments. Over 40% of Cambodia’s $10 billion foreign debt is attributed to China. This financial backing enables Cambodia to largely overlook Western criticism regarding its human and political rights record. In return, Cambodia often aligns with Beijing on key foreign policy issues, including territorial claims in the South China Sea.

Recently, Cambodia has committed to proceeding with the Chinese-funded Funan Techo Canal project, a $1.7 billion initiative aiming to link Phnom Penh with the Gulf of Thailand. This project has sparked concerns in Vietnam, fearing that the canal could facilitate easier Chinese military access to the region, given the tense maritime territorial disputes between Vietnam and China.

Additionally, China’s involvement in Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base on the Gulf of Thailand has raised international eyebrows, with speculations about the base becoming a strategic military outpost for China. This concern was heightened when two Chinese naval vessels docked at a newly constructed Chinese-financed pier at the base in December, coinciding with a visit from China’s top defense official.

In April, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Cambodia to reaffirm the strong ties between the two countries.