The picture shows the closing ceremony of the China-Cambodia "Golden Dragon-2023" joint exercise. (Photo by Yang Zilong)
By Gao Yi and Wang Shangjian
KAMPONG CHHNANG, Cambodia, April 6 -- The China-Cambodia "Golden Dragon-2023" joint military exercise successfully concluded after the last stage of comprehensive live drill on April 5.
Gen. Tea Banh, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister, Gen.Vong Pisen, Commander-in-chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF), Vice Admiral Wei Wenhui, deputy commander of the Southern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, and Wang Wentian, Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia, observed the drill and attended the closing ceremony.
Centering on the theme of security for major events and humanitarian relief operation, the live drill was held at the Royal Gendarmerie Training Center in Kampong Chhnang Province, Cambodia, with the scenario of “terrorist attacks during major international sports event”. Against this background, the participating troops of two countries formed a joint force and successively completed 10 subjects in the live drill, including blockade and control, hostage rescue, epidemic disinfection, mine clearance and explosive removal.
At the closing ceremony, Vice Admiral Wei Wenhui, deputy commander of the Chinese PLA Southern Theater Command, said that the joint exercise was an important platform for exchanges, mutual learning and joint training between the two militaries, and also an essential window for promoting the peaceful development philosophy of the two countries, achieving the expected purpose of consolidating the profound friendship and deepening security cooperation.
Gen. Tea Banh, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister, said that the joint exercise consolidated the traditional friendship between the Cambodian and Chinese militaries, enhanced solidarity and coordination, created a good opportunity for cooperation, exchanges and mutual learning between the two militaries, and made positive contributions to regional peace and stability.
At the closing ceremony, Tea Banh and Wei Wenhui awarded certificates of honor to representatives of both sides.
It is learned that it was the fifth China-Cambodia "Golden Dragon" exercise, which consisted of joint drills on security for major events and humanitarian work, as well as activities of cultural exchange. A total of more than 3,000 military members from both sides participated in the exercise. Military attachés in Cambodia and delegates from other ASEAN countries also attended the event.