A Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy Type 071 amphibious landing ship participates in the live-force drill of the China-Cambodia Golden Dragon-2025 joint exercise near the port of Sihanoukville on May 26, 2025. Photo: Screenshot from China Bugle, an official media account affiliated with the PLA news media center

The China-Cambodia "Golden Dragon-2025" joint exercise conducted a live-force drill in the maritime and aerial domains near the port of Sihanoukville, Cambodia, on Monday local time. Official media highlighted that this was the first time the Cambodia-China Joint Support and Training Center at Port Ream was utilized for live-force operations.

In the drill, a combined task force consisting of 11 naval vessels and 3 air force helicopters from both countries participated in the exercise, according to Xinhua News Agency. 

Chinese equipment, including the Type 071 amphibious landing ship, Type 056A corvette and Z-20 helicopter, participated in the exercise, according to a video from China Bugle, an official media account affiliated with the PLA news media center.

According to Xinhua, the drill simulated a scenario in which "terrorists" hijacked a cargo ship using armed speedboats, focusing on joint counter-terrorism and anti-hijacking operations, with key exercises including coordinated response, escort operations, counter-terrorism and anti-piracy, as well as joint maritime and aerial search and rescue.

Upon receiving the alert, the joint task force swiftly deployed to the "incident area." After locating the target through maritime search efforts, the naval and aerial forces employed various tactics, such as verbal warnings, warning shots, and suppressive fire, to deter and force the "terrorists" to halt, followed by rapid containment and boarding operations, Xinhua reported.

Subsequently, both sides held a closing ceremony for the live-force drill.

This exercise marked the first air-sea joint military live-force drill in the "Golden Dragon" series, as well as the first time the Cambodia-China Joint Support and Training Center at Port Ream was utilized for live-force operations. The exercise achieved its goals of mutual learning, shared progress, and enhanced capabilities, demonstrating both nations' firm resolve and strong ability to jointly safeguard maritime security, Xinhua reported.

Zhang Junshe, a Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times that this year's drills covered not only land and air operations but also maritime and aerial domains. "As the participating forces and branches expanded, so did the scale and scope of the exercise," Zhang said. 

"Notably, as the first time the joint exercise relied on the Cambodia-China Joint Support and Training Center at Port Ream for live-force operations, it helped improve the center's operational efficiency," Zhang said.

Fu Qianshao, another Chinese military affairs expert, said the joint exercise further strengthened mutual trust and understanding in maritime and naval cooperation between the two countries.

"Through such exercises, China can enhance friendly exchanges with other nations and jointly uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea," Fu said.

The "Golden Dragon" series of joint exercises is a regular military cooperation program between China and Cambodia. 

This exercise will be the 7th of its kind between the Chinese and Cambodian militaries. It will facilitate 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, according to the spokesperson of Chinese defense ministry Zhang Xiaogang.