(Sihanoukville): On Monday morning (May 12), two Chinese naval vessels, numbered 071 and 989, safely docked at Pier 1 of the Ream Naval Base. The vessels carried troops and equipment to take part in the 2025 Golden Dragon joint military exercise.

The arrival of the Chinese vessels was warmly welcomed by Pen Sokrethvithyea, Director of the Training Command for Cambodia, along with 70 naval officers and a coordination team overseeing Cambodia’s participation in the 2025 Golden Dragon joint exercise.

The Chinese delegation was led by Lyu Guangkun, Deputy Chief of Staff of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theatre Command and head of the Chinese delegation for the Golden Dragon exercise. He was accompanied by Chen Yuelong, commander of vessel 071, and Jia Jianrong, political commissar of vessel 989.

Now in its seventh iteration, the Golden Dragon 2025 exercise will take place from 14 to 28 May in Kampong Chhnang and Preah Sihanouk provinces. This year’s theme is “Joint Counter-Terrorism Operations and Humanitarian Relief Work.”

The exercise will include land, naval, and air components. Land and air drills will be held at the Royal Gendarmerie’s training centre at Phnom Chum Rikreay in Kampong Chhnang province, while the naval and aerial exercises will be conducted in Cambodian waters and airspace near Preah Sihanouk province.

Over 2,000 personnel will take part in the exercise, including 1,331 Cambodian forces and 845 troops from the PLA.

This year’s joint drills also feature a wide array of advanced military equipment, including warships, helicopters, drones, robots, weapons, and ammunition.
=FRESH NEWS