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China, Cambodia sign military deal as Beijing seeks to counter US influence
- Senior commanders from the two countries agree a memorandum of understanding, details of which were not elaborated on
- It follows revelations of China crafting security pact with Solomon Islands to give its warships a safe harbour close to Australian coast
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The Chinese and Cambodian armies have signed a memorandum of understanding, as Beijing seeks to deepen regional security ties amid increasing competition with the US.
Senior commanders from the ground forces of the two militaries sealed the agreement in a video call on Thursday, Chinese defence ministry spokesman Senior Colonel Wu Qian told a regular news briefing in Beijing. He did not elaborate on the details of the agreement.
“China and Cambodia are close neighbours and ironclad friends,” Wu said. “In recent years, the pragmatic cooperation between the two militaries in various fields, including strategic communication, joint exercises and training, exchanges and personnel training, has continued to deepen.”
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The agreement was signed by General Liu Zhenli, commander of the People’s Liberation Army Ground Forces, and General Hun Manet, deputy commander-in-chief of the Royal Cambodian Army. Hun Manet, who studied at the US Military Academy at West Point, is the eldest son of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, and has been endorsed by the nation’s ruling party as its future leader.
The announcement comes days after revelations that China was crafting a security pact with the Solomon Islands that would give its warships a safe harbour some 2,000km (1,200 miles) from the Australian coast. Ministers from Australia and New Zealand have expressed concern about the deal’s impact on security in the South Pacific.
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