China and Cambodia began 7th edition of their bilateral military exercise, Golden Dragon 2025, from 14–28 May 2025. The exercise is being held at the Military Police Training Centre in Kampong Chhnang and at the Ream Naval Base in Preah Sihanouk province, Cambodia.
Key Highlights
Theme:
- “Joint Counter-Terrorism Operations and Humanitarian Relief” . Emphasises on peace-building, disaster response, and combat readiness
Objective:
- Strengthen military cooperation, counter-terrorism capabilities, and interoperability
- Facilitate experience exchange and modernisation of forces
- Support a China-Cambodia “all-weather” strategic partnership
Participants:
- Over 2,000 troops from the People’s Liberation Army (China) and the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces
- Involvement of land, sea, and air assets
Strategic Importance
- First Air-Sea Live-Force Drill in the Golden Dragon series
- Use of the newly inaugurated Ream Naval Base (April 2025) on Cambodia’s southern coast
- Chinese warships have docked at the base, signaling growing naval presence in the Gulf of Thailand
- First-time use of Cambodia-China Joint Support and Training Center at Port Ream for live operations
Key Equipment & Technologies Used
| Category | Details |
| Naval Assets | Type 071 Amphibious Landing Ship, Type 056A Corvette, 11 warships |
| Air Support | Z-20 Helicopters, 3 air force helicopters |
| Ground Assets | Armoured vehicles, artillery, mortars, medical and rescue units |
| Advanced Technologies | AI-driven systems, robot dogs, surgical robots, UAVs, drones |
| Modern Warfare Tools | Explosives, ammunition, reconnaissance & attack drones, intelligence systems |
- Integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotic systems reflects China’s influence on Cambodia’s military modernisation
Background of Golden Dragon Exercise
- Initiated in late 2016
- Annual bilateral military drill to deepen strategic and military ties
- Focuses on counter-terrorism, practical combat skills, and mutual security cooperation
- Aligned with the vision of building a China-Cambodia community with a shared future
Geopolitical Context
- Exercise coincides with the U.S.-led ‘Balikatan’ exercise in the Philippines, involving U.S., Philippines, Japan, and Australia
- China’s access to dual-use ports in Cambodia, Sri Lanka (Hambantota), and Pakistan (Gwadar) raises concerns
- Reflects China’s ongoing “String of Pearls” strategy aimed at expanding its strategic footprint in the Indian Ocean Region and Southeast Asia
- Signals China’s growing ability to project military power in the Indo-Pacific region.