China, Cambodia Kick Off Joint Military Drills to Boost ‘Ironclad’ Partnership

More than 1,300 Cambodian soldiers and over 700 Chinese troops were involved in the 15-day joint drill.

Members of the Cambodian navy walk on a jetty in Ream Naval Base, Cambodia, on July 26, 2019. Tang Chhin Sothy/AFP via Getty Images

The armed forces of Cambodia and China began joint exercises on May 16 involving 2,000 troops and 14 warships, as the two allied nations are seeking to strengthen their “ironclad friendship” and defense cooperation.

Maj. Gen. Thong Solimo, spokesperson for the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF), told reporters that the “Golden Dragon” joint drill “will be even larger than before” and it will run through May 30.