Chinese Armoured Personnel Carriers to Join Military Exercise

PHNOM PENH– On March 13 and 14, about 30 armoured personnel carriers and other vehicles from China were scheduled to arrive in Cambodia before a joint military exercise on March 17.

In 2016, China held its first joint military exercise with Cambodia at Thlok Tasek Military Institute in Kampong Speu province, which involved 85 Chinese and 256 Cambodian military personnels.

In this month, China is reported to hold the second military exercise with Cambodia.

According to BTV news, the Defence Minister, General. Tea Banh said, “Not only armoured personnel carriers, but also some other vehicles will arrive in Cambodia so on to participate in the joint military exercise”.

The military officer said that the objective of this joint military exercise was to improve the capabilities of the Royal Cambodia Armed Forces (RCAF) and foster cooperation between China and Cambodia focusing on counter terrorism.

Some armoured personnel carriers, three helicopters and other vehicles will be brought from China only for joining the exercise in Kompong Spue province, not being donated, according to a senior military officer at the Defence Ministry.

Dated back to January 24, General Ith Sarath, RCAF deputy commander, said in a statement that the exercise would be held in Kampong Speu province’s Phnom Sruoch district to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the two nations’ diplomatic relations, and would involve 280 Cambodian troops and 190 Chinese troops, according to local reports.

After the United States made an announcement on suspending assistance aid to Cambodia over its concerns with “setbacks to democracy” in the country, there were tonnes of weapons shipped to Cambodia to help strengthen the national defense, the Prime Minister said.

Chinese Armoured Personnel Carriers to Hold Second Military Exercise