Chinese, Cambodian defense officials reaffirm strong bonds

Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun on Monday met with the visiting deputy commander of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces Mao Sophan in Beijing.

According to a statement from the Ministry of National Defense, Dong said that China-Cambodia friendship is long-lasting and passes from generation to generation.

He said, under the strategic leadership of Chinese and Cambodian leaders, the construction of the China-Cambodia community with a shared future has entered a new era of high quality, high level and high standards.

The leaders of both countries have reached important consensuses on developing military cooperation, said Dong, noting that implementing these consensuses is the common responsibility of the two militaries.

The defense minister said that in recent years, cooperation between the two militaries in various fields has maintained a high level, with fruitful cooperation in group visits, joint exercises and training, and military school exchanges.

The two sides should further deepen strategic communication, make good use of cooperation mechanisms, and enhance the quality and effectiveness of cooperation, contributing to regional peace, he said.

Sophan thanked China for its sincere help to Cambodia over the years, expressing that Cambodia firmly adheres to the one-China principle and supports China in resolutely safeguarding its core interests.

Sophan, who is also the commander of the Royal Cambodian Army, said Cambodia is willing to work with China to continuously consolidate and strengthen practical exchanges and cooperation between the two militaries, including ground forces.