The Type 071 amphibious landing ship Changbaishan (left) of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy arrives at Port Ream in Cambodia on May 12 ahead of the "Golden Dragon-2025" joint exercise. Photo: Screenshot from China Bugle, an official media account affiliated with the PLA news media center

A large amphibious warship of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy on Monday docked at Port Ream in Cambodia to participate in an upcoming bilateral joint exercise, with the recently established China-Cambodia Joint Support and Training Center to provide support for the first time, official media reported. This indicates that the joint center is now capable of hosting drills and training activities, an expert said.

After several days of maritime maneuvering, the troops from the Chinese side participating in the China-Cambodia "Golden Dragon-2025" joint exercise on Monday arrived at Port Ream, where they were met with a welcoming ceremony by the Cambodian side, China Central Television (CCTV) reported.

The Type 071 amphibious landing ship Changbaishan docked at Port Ream, according to the CCTV report.

This is the first time the China-Cambodia Joint Support and Training Center at Port Ream is providing support to a China-Cambodia joint exercise mission since the center's inauguration, CCTV said.

According to the Xinhua News Agency, the China-Cambodia Joint Support and Training Center at Port Ream was put into operation on April 5. In conjunction with the inauguration ceremony, the Chinese and Cambodian militaries organized the launch of the "Golden Dragon 2025" joint exercise at the center.

In a press briefing on Thursday, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang announced that in mid-to-late May, the Chinese and Cambodian militaries will hold the "Golden Dragon-2025" joint exercise in Cambodia. Focusing on joint counter-terrorism and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations, the exercise will be conducted both on land and at sea, as well as in relevant air spaces. Cultural and sports exchanges, and vessel open day activities will also be conducted.

This exercise will be the seventh of its kind between the Chinese and Cambodian militaries. It will facilitate practical cooperation between the two sides and contribute to the building of a China-Cambodia all-weather community with a shared future for the new era, the spokesperson said.

The Chinese side departed from a naval port in Zhanjiang, South China's Guangdong Province on Thursday following a ceremony on the Changbaishan. Troops from the PLA Army, Navy, Air Force and Joint Logistic Support Force set out via sea and air toward the exercise zone in Cambodia, the PLA Southern Theater Command said at the time.

Multiple types of weapons and equipment, including vessels, helicopters and armored vehicles, will be involved in the exercise, the PLA Southern Theater Command said. 

Zhang Junshe, a Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times on Monday that the "Golden Dragon-2025" joint exercise will be an operational test of the functionality of the China-Cambodia Joint Support and Training Center at Port Ream, while also indicating that the center is now capable of hosting drills and training activities.

The center could provide supplies such as fuel and water to the visiting vessels, support for information transmission and port activities, and facilities and space for the joint exercise. This will provide convenient conditions for China-Cambodia joint training and other activities. At the same time, the "Golden Dragon-2025" joint exercise also has positive significance for the operation of the joint center, boosting its standardized procedures and supporting efficiency, according to Zhang Junshe.

Fu Qianshao, another Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times that the China-Cambodia joint exercise will deepen exchanges and mutual trust between the two countries and contribute to peace and stability in the region.

With Chinese assistance, Cambodia now has a modern naval port in Port Ream, which is a boost to Cambodia's national defense capabilities. With the port, China and Cambodia are expected to have more military cooperation, including more joint exercises, Fu said.