China is holding military exercises with Cambodia in Cambodian waters for the first time in two weeks. The joint exercise called ‘Golden Dragon 2023’ was completed this week.
The South China Morning Post reported that the drills took place between March 23 and April 5. There are various military exercises carried out by the armies of the two countries such as blockade, control, hostage rescue, epidemic disinfection and mine clearance exercises.
This exercise is the fifth in history for both countries. However, this is the first exercise to include naval maneuvers in the Sihanoukville area, south of Cambodia and in the Gulf of Thailand.
For China, Cambodia is their traditional ally in Southeast Asia. In addition to technical training, there are materials that serve to strengthen understanding and friendship between soldiers of the two countries, such as singing, dancing and calligraphy.
Not only that, the Chinese military also donated educational materials and medicines to Cambodians.
For China, this exercise serves to stem the influence of the United States (US) in Southeast Asia. Previously, the US has strengthened their relations with the Philippines and Australia.
The Philippines agreed in February to give the US access to build four new bases. Thus, the US now has five bases to train soldiers and store their military equipment.
Last month, Australia also confirmed plans to purchase nuclear-powered submarines under a three-way pact with the UK and US.
The steps of the two countries were not followed by Cambodia. Phnom Penh has instead chosen to be closer to China in recent years. In 2020, for example, it turns out that Cambodia has destroyed facilities built by the US at their largest naval base, Ream Naval Base.
Military historian from Cornell University, David Silbey said, the China-Cambodia joint exercises have political and military significance.
“On the military side, this exercise builds a sense of familiarity and capacity,” said Silbey.
“Familiarity comes from the two countries’ armies together and capacity comes from both training and also knowledge for China on how to project their power deep in the South China Sea.
Silbey said, in terms of US leverage, the exercise was a “clear counterattack from China.” According to Silbey, Cambodia is actually one of the countries that has chosen to be close to the US in the last decade.
“This is an attempt to reverse that closeness,” he said.
Not only that, Silbey believes the China-Cambodia joint exercises will worry other Southeast Asian countries. “Now, Vietnam, Singapore and Malaysia have understood that China can place itself in a military area,” he said.
Source : CNN
