Army Chief Stands Firm on Neutrality as Drills Start

Cambodian (front) and Chinese (back) soldiers stand in formation during the Cambodian-Chinese Dragon Gold-2024 drill at a military police base in Kampong Chhnang province on May 16, 2024. Photo by TANG CHHIN SOTHY / AFP

PHNOM PENH – Army chief Vong Pisen reiterated Cambodia’s principle of neutrality, non-interference and not hosting any foreign base at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Golden Dragon military exercise with China.

The annual exercise on fighting terrorism and supplying humanitarian aid is taking place at a military training center in Kampong Chhnang province until May 30. There will also be naval exercises off Preah Sihanouk province.  

Two thousand troops from Cambodia’s Army and Navy and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) are taking part in the drills, which involve 14 ships and two helicopters along with armored vehicles and reconnaissance and communication equipment.  

General Vong Pisen, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, said the exercise is bigger than in previous years in terms of scope and scale while involving modern equipment to respond to growing cooperation between the armies. 

General Pisen said future exercises will extend to air force and other forces.

This year’s exercise was to exchange experiences, enhance cooperation and maintain regional peace and stability in the region while strengthening both armies’ capabilities to fight terrorism.

As stipulated in its Constitution, Cambodia has always adhered to permanent neutrality, non-alignment, peaceful co-existence with its neighbors and all countries, non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries, resolving issues peacefully and respecting each other’s interests, he said.

“Cambodia strongly opposes foreign interference in its internal affairs under any circumstances. Cambodia will not form a military alliance or join any military agreement that is inconsistent with its neutrality,” he said.

“Cambodia does not allow foreign military bases on its territory and does not allow its military bases abroad unless under a UN mission.”

The exercise come as Cambodia faces allegation over exclusively allowing Chinese military to access Ream Naval Base in Preah Sihanouk which have been under development with assistance from Beijing amid stronger ties between two countries. 

Cambodia and China have repeatedly denied the allegation. 

General Pisen said Cambodia has right to receive military aid including equipment, munitions and training for self-defense and to maintain stability and social order. 

During the ceremony, Vice Admiral Gao Xiucheng, PLA Southern Theatre Command deputy chief of staff, said the multi-force real war exercise allows two armies to exchange experience, study each other and jointly participate in command operations.   


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