PORT REAM (Agencies): China and Cambodia officially inaugurated the China-Cambodia Joint Support and Training Center at Port Ream on Saturday, marking the launch of the “Golden Dragon-2025” joint exercise. The event signifies a milestone in the growing military cooperation between the two countries, with experts predicting more joint drills in the future to enhance bilateral relations and contribute to regional stability.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by key figures, including Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and a delegation from the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The ceremony was followed by the “Golden Dragon-2025” exercise, during which warships from both nations engaged in joint training, including formation maneuvering, maritime communication, and equipment drills. These exercises are aimed at improving joint command and operational capabilities, setting the stage for more complex multi-service training involving land, sea, and air forces.
This marks the first time that the Golden Dragon series exercises have been held at the new Port Ream center, which has been built with China’s assistance and is expected to play a key role in regional security. According to Chinese military expert Fu Qianshao, the center’s comprehensive facilities support various operations, including counterterrorism, disaster relief, and humanitarian assistance.
Both nations emphasized the center’s operation as a collaborative effort, with China and Cambodia agreeing on the mutual respect and equal consultation in its construction. The center is designed to strengthen military ties and provide logistical and training support, advancing Cambodia’s military modernization.
Prime Minister Hun Manet reaffirmed that Cambodia’s modernization of the naval base, with China’s support, is aimed solely at strengthening its national defense and not at providing China exclusive military access, dispelling claims of a potential Chinese military base in the region. He also expressed his hope for continued Chinese technology and equipment support for Cambodia’s military.
Experts see the China-Cambodia Joint Support and Training Center as a strategic facility that enhances military cooperation between the two nations and contributes to maintaining regional peace. The joint exercises also highlight the growing China-Cambodia relationship, emphasizing the importance of cultural and military exchanges in ensuring regional stability.
As the center becomes operational, it is expected to host more frequent joint military exercises, with the aim of fostering peaceful coexistence and cooperation among nations in the region, particularly in the South China Sea.