Cambodia, China launch joint drill on anti-terrorism, humanitarian rescue

Cambodia and China launched the second joint drill on counter-terrorism and humanitarian rescue at a training field in the Maras Prov Mountains on Saturday.

An equipment of Chinese People's Liberation Army is on display during the opening ceremony of the Cambodia-China "Dragon Gold 2016" exercise in Kampong Speu province, Cambodia, Dec. 15, 2016. [Photo: Xinhua]

Some 280 soldiers of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) and 216 soldiers of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) are involved in the drill dubbed "Dragon Gold 2018," which will last till March 31. 

RCAF commander-in-chief Gen. Pol Saroeun said the exercise is part of the activities the two countries have organized to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the two countries.

"The exercise is vital to exchange experience and further strengthen bilateral cooperation on anti-terrorism and humanitarian work," he said in a speech during the opening ceremony. 

He said Cambodia highly values the drill with China which will importantly contribute to increasing capacity for the RCAF.

It will increase China-Cambodia readiness and responsiveness to challenges in the fight against terrorism and in the humanitarian tasks, he said.

Zhang Jian, army commander of the Southern Theater Command of the Chinese PLA, said the exercise is designed to bolster cooperation and friendship between the two armies.

The drill plays a very important role in further developing the relations between the two armies, he said in his opening speech.

It will further enhance cooperation between the two countries on terrorism fighting and humanitarian rescue, and contribute to maintaining peace, stability and development in the two countries, the region, and the world, he added. 

The participating troops will carry on training of professional subjects such as anti-terror equipment operating, live-fire practice, unarmed wrestle, simulated airborne landing, man hunting, searching and rescuing.

Cambodia and China conducted the first joint drill in December 2016, focusing on humanitarian rescue and disaster relief at the Army Institute in southwestern Kampong Speu province.