AKP Phnom Penh, March 19, 2018 –Golden Dragon 2018, the joint Cambodian-Chinese military exercise, began on Mar. 17 at the live-fire training field of Infantry Brigade 70 located in Samrong Tong district of Kampong Speu province.
The military drill, the 2nd of its kind, was launched under the presidency of H.E. Gen. Pol Saroeun, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) and Maj. Gen. Zhang Jian, Army Commander of the Southern Theatre Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
H.E. Gen. Pol Saroeun said Golden Dragon 2018 is a historical event of Cambodia and China to mark the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic relations. It will strengthen the traditional ties of friendship and political confidence between the two nations, he underlined.
This military exercise will boost experience exchange and cooperation in the fight against terrorism and humanitarian work, added the RCAF commander-in-chief, expressing thanks to the Government of China for its support, both financial and material, to the Cambodian military sector.
For his part, Maj. Gen. Zhang Jian spoke highly of the relations between both countries’ armies, affirming their continued collaboration for security in their respective countries and in the region.
About 280 Cambodian soldiers and 190 Chinese soldiers took part in this two-week drill held under the theme “Counter-Terrorism and Humanitarian Work”.
The first Golden Dragon military drill was conducted in December 2016, focusing on humanitarian rescue and disaster relief.
By Khan Sophirom
