2021 "Golden Dragon" Military Exercises Suspended (Resume 2023)

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2021 "Golden Dragon" Military Exercises Suspended (Resume 2023)

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Cambodia Suspends Annual Military Exercises With China
2021-02-10

Cambodia’s government has decided to suspend its two-week military exercise with China next month, citing a need to cut spending amid the coronavirus pandemic, despite claims by the opposition that it did so to avoid angering the new administration in Washington.

Speaking to RFA’s Khmer Service last week, Defense Minister Tea Banh said the fourth annual “Golden Dragon” exercise will be canceled this year due to heavy flooding in 2020 that devastated the country’s infrastructure and food supply. He also pointed to the country’s ongoing battle with COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, and “several other problems” the government still needs to resolve.

The joint exercise, originally scheduled for March 13-27, sees around 3,000 Cambodian and Chinese troops take part in live ammunition drills—including training on the use of tanks, armored vehicles, and demining equipment—at the 70th Brigade Military Training School in Kampot province’s Chum Kiri district. Ties between the two countries have strengthened in recent years amid growing Western criticism of Cambodia’s human rights record.

“We are dealing with these difficulties. [The flooding] severely affected the well-being and livelihood of the people and is expected to result in more poverty and hardship,” Tea Banh said. “So, based on this, we have suspended the military exercise.”

In October last year, tropical storms brought torrential rains that inundated much of Cambodia, triggering flooding that destroyed bridges and roads, affected hundreds of thousands of people in 19 provinces, and left nearly 40 dead.

Cambodia, to which China has pledged to deliver 1 million doses of its Sinopharm vaccination, has seen a total of 476 COVID-19 cases since January 2020 and no deaths. The drills were held last year despite widespread concerns about potentially infected Chinese soldiers bringing the virus into the country—concerns that were dismissed at the time by Tea Banh.

This week, social development researcher Seng Sary told RFA that Cambodia’s decision to suspend the Golden Dragon exercise was “long overdue” because the nation is not involved in any conflicts.

“Exercises are part of strengthening the capacity of the military, but at this stage it is good that we are suspending them due to national budget constraints,” he said.
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambod ... 90036.html
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Re: 2021 "Golden Dragon" Military Exercises Suspended

Post by CEOCambodiaNews »

What’s Behind Cambodia’s Cancellation of Military Exercises with China?
The cancellation, purportedly due to COVID-19, could be a peace offering to the Biden administration.
By Sebastian Strangio
February 15, 2021

Earlier this month, the Cambodian government announced that it was suspending its two-week military exercise with China next month, citing a need to cut spending amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Golden Dragon exercise was due to take place from March 13 to 27, and would have involved around 3,000 Cambodian and Chinese troops engaging in live ammunition drills, including training on the use of tanks, armored vehicles, and demining equipment.

In comments to Radio Free Asia’s Khmer-language service, Cambodian Defense Minister Tea Banh said that the fourth annual Golden Dragon exercise would be canceled this year due to heavy flooding in late 2020 that devastated the country’s infrastructure and food supply. He also pointed to the country’s ongoing battle with COVID-19 and “several other problems” facing the government.

“We are dealing with these difficulties. [The flooding] severely affected the well-being and livelihood of the people and is expected to result in more poverty and hardship,” Tea Banh told RFA Khmer. “So, based on this, we have suspended the military exercise.”

Interestingly, the suspension bears a close resemblance to the cancellation of a similar military exercise with the United States in 2017. The Angkor Sentinel joint exercise was first held in 2010, and was unexpectedly called off by the Cambodian government in January 2017. Two months later, in March, Golden Dragon was held with China’s People’s Liberation Army for the first time.
Full article: https://thediplomat.com/2021/02/whats-b ... ith-china/
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Re: 2021 "Golden Dragon" Military Exercises Suspended

Post by CEOCambodiaNews »

UPDATE
September 1, 2022
Cambodian, Chinese military to hold joint military exercise

A joint military exercise between Cambodia and Chinese armies was discussed after a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

This was confirmed by Deputy Prime Minister Tea Banh, Minister of National Defence, during the handover ceremony of 150 vehicles and other equipment from China for the Ministry of National Defence this morning.

“Obviously we are in a state of consultation and this exercise with the People’s Republic of China is going to be large-scale and more diverse, it could be extended to the navy as well,” said the Deputy Prime Minister.
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501143245/ ... -exercise/
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Re: 2021 "Golden Dragon" Military Exercises Suspended

Post by CEOCambodiaNews »

UPDATE
The annual "Golden Dragon" combined military exercise resumes after the Covid break, and will be held in Cambodia next month.

February 8, 2023
‘Golden Dragon’ joint military exercise back on
For the first time in two years, about 1,000 Cambodian and Chinese soldiers will participate in the annual February “Golden Dragon” joint military exercise in Kampong Chhnang province. The joint exercise has resumed after suspension for the past two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

General Chhum Sucheat, spokesman for the Ministry of National Defence, said yesterday that the joint military exercise between Cambodia and China will take place on March 20 at the National Military Training Centre in Phnom Chumsenrikreay, in Kampong Chhnang province’s Samakki Meanchey district.

Gen Sucheat said that according to the plan, there are about 1,000 soldiers and officers from the Cambodian and Chinese military participating in the training event.
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501234526/ ... e-back-on/
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Re: 2021 "Golden Dragon" Military Exercises Suspended(UPDATE 2023)

Post by CEOCambodiaNews »

Chinese troops participating in Golden Dragon-2023 China-Cambodia joint exercise setout
Source: China Military Online Editor:Lin Congyi 2023-03-16

Image
Chinese troops hold a set-out ceremony on the amphibious dock landing ship Jinggangshan on March 15, 2023.
BEIJING, March 16 -- The Golden Dragon-2023 China-Cambodia joint military exercise will be held at a training base in Cambodia from March 20 to April 8. The Golden Dragon series of joint exercises is an annual routine military cooperation activity between the two militaries and the Golden Dragon-2023 is the fifth of such joint exercises.

More than 200 participating troops from the army, navy and joint logistic support force of the Chinese PLA Southern Theater Command held a set-out ceremony at a military port in Zhanjiang city, southeast China's Guangdong province, on March 15. The content of this exercise mainly includes the joint security exercise for major events, the humanitarian work and the cultural exchanges. A total of more than 3,000 troops from both sides, with more than 300 units of wheeled vehicles, various types of ordnance, mine-sweeping devices and pandemic-prevention equipment, will participate in the exercise. Several Southeast Asian countries will send military officers to observe the exercise.

The China-Cambodia Golden Dragon-2023 joint military exercise is held to implement the consensus reached by the leaders of China and Cambodia to jointly build a China-Cambodia community with a shared future in the new era. It aims to consolidate and develop the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership between China and Cambodia, increase political mutual trust, expand military exchanges between the two countries and improve the counter-terrorism and humanitarian assistance capabilities of the two militaries.

Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China
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Re: 2021 "Golden Dragon" Military Exercises Suspended (Resume 2023)

Post by CEOCambodiaNews »

Chinese troops set out for China-Cambodia joint exercise amid intensive foreign military exchanges
By Liu Xuanzun
Published: Mar 16, 2023 10:18 PM

A Type 071 comprehensive landing ship is carrying Chinese troops on their way to participate in a large-scale joint exercise with Cambodia, marking yet another major event in a busy month of foreign military exchanges by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA).

In accordance with a bilateral agreement, the armed forces of China and Cambodia will hold the Golden Dragon-2023 joint exercise in Cambodia from late March to early April, with the subject of the exercise being operations for the security of important events and humanitarian aid, China's Ministry of National Defense said in a press release on Wednesday.

More than 200 troops from the Army, the Navy and the Joint Logistic Support Force of the PLA Southern Theater Command held a departure ceremony on Wednesday in Zhanjiang, South China's Guangdong Province, on the flight deck of the Jinggangshan, a Type 071 comprehensive landing ship, China Central Television (CCTV) reported on the day.

After the ceremony, the Chinese forces set sail for a port in Cambodia, where they will mobilize motorized vehicles to the exercise area, CCTV reported.

The goal of the exercise is to further advance the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between China and Cambodia, enhance political mutual trust, expand military exchanges, and boost the two militaries' capabilities in anti-terrorism work and humanitarian aid, the report said.

More than 3,000 personnel and over 300 vehicles will participate in the drill, which is the fifth such joint exercise between China and Cambodia, CCTV said.
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1287431.shtml
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Re: 2021 "Golden Dragon" Military Exercises Suspended (Resume 2023)

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Chinese, Cambodian warships hold unprecedented drill prior to joint exercise
By Liu Xuanzun
Published: Mar 19, 2023 6:29 PM
Image
The Type 071 comprehensive landing ship of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, which was carrying Chinese troops to participate in the upcoming China-Cambodia Golden Dragon-2023 joint exercise, held an unprecedented drill with Cambodian vessels on Sunday.

After a voyage of nearly 100 hours across about 1,300 nautical miles, the Type 071 ship Jinggangshan arrived in Cambodian waters on Sunday and carried out an exercise over coordinated navigation and communications, according to a press the PLA Southern Theater Command released on the same day.

During the exercise, the Jinggangshan made contacts with two patrol boats of the Royal Cambodian Navy and established communications before practicing coordinated navigation in different formations, said the press release.
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1287548.shtml
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Re: 2021 "Golden Dragon" Military Exercises Suspended (Resume 2023)

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Oh dear God, if that picture is from Ream... Don't let the Americans hear of this...
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Re: 2021 "Golden Dragon" Military Exercises Suspended (Resume 2023)

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Cambodia, China to Kick off Joint Military Drill This Week
AKP Phnom Penh, March 21, 2023 --
Image
Golden Dragon 2020
The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) will conduct a joint military drill dubbed “Golden Dragon” from Mar. 23 to April 5 on security protection during major events and emergency rescue during disasters.

According to the Cambodian Ministry of National Defence, the joint military drill, the fifth of its kind, will take place at the Royal Gendarmerie Training Centre in Peam commune, Samaky Meanchey district, Kampong Chhnang province.

The military exercise will contribute to boosting the good relations and cooperation between both countries’ armies and strengthening the bonds of solidarity, friendship, knowledge and experience sharing, as well as the coordination between many nations during joint operations and response to non-traditional challenges.

“Golden Dragon” military exercise, which began in 2016, aims to exchange experience and enhance the capacity of the RCAF and PLA in humanitarian operations, disaster rescue and counter-terrorism in the UN framework in accordance with the cooperation between the two countries’ Ministries of National Defence.
By Phal Sophanith
AKP
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Re: 2021 "Golden Dragon" Military Exercises Suspended (Resume 2023)

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Cambodia-China Joint Military Drill Reflects Inseparable Friendship
AKP Phnom Penh, April 06, 2023 --
Image
A joint military drill dubbed "Golden Dragon" between the Royal Cambodian Armed Force (RCAF) and the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) sent out a message of inseparable friendship between the two.

The note was highlighted by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, Samdech Pichey Sena Tea Banh, while presiding over the closing ceremony of the joint military drill in Kampong Chhnang province on April 5.

The iron-clad friendship aims to promote a win-win approach toward shared destiny for humanity, continued Samdech Tea Banh.

The golden dragon exercise was crucial for Cambodia-China strategic relation responsive to the current changes and challenges in the world, and in line with the high commitment of the two governments.
The deputy prime minister also spoke highly of the effort and good cooperation of the drill organising committees to ensure a smooth and successful joint exercise.
Image
Image
The joint military drill was kicked off on Mar. 23 at the Royal Gendarmerie Training Centre in Peam commune, Samaky Meanchey district, Kampong Chhnang province.

The two-week-long exercise, the fifth of its kind, was themed "Security Operations in Major Events and Humanitarian Relief."

According to RCAF Spokesperson Major General Thong Solimo, there were 583 Cambodian soldiers and 257 PLA soldiers** involved directly in the drill.

The “Golden Dragon” military exercise, which began in 2016, aims to exchange experience and enhance the capacity of the RCAF and PLA in humanitarian operations, disaster rescue and counter-terrorism in the UN framework in accordance with the cooperation between the two countries’ Ministries of National Defence.
Article in Khmer by Sam Samorn
Article in English by Lim Nary
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