China Cambodia Photo: VCG

During a time when the region's stability and security is seriously challenged by recent US provocative moves, Cambodia's top military official said the Southeast Asian country will always and unwaveringly uphold the one-China principle and firmly support China in safeguarding its national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity. 

Xu Qiliang, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, met with the visiting Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister General Tea Banh in Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong Province on Monday morning, according to a press release by the Chinese Ministry of National Defense on Monday.

Observers said that it is of great importance and urgency to enhance communication and coordination between China and regional countries as well as the Chinese military and the militaries of ASEAN member states.

Xu said that China resolutely supports Cambodia in safeguarding its national sovereignty, independence, development and stability, firmly supports Cambodia in independently choosing a development path, and supports Cambodia in national defense and military construction.

Xu noted that the Chinese military will firmly implement the Global Security Initiative and Global Development Initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, and work with Cambodia to jointly and earnestly carry out the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, to strengthen communication and coordination, deepen practical cooperation, safeguard regional stability and common interests, and write a new chapter of high-quality development of the relations of the two militaries.

Banh said Cambodia always and unwaveringly upholds the one-China principle and firmly supports China in safeguarding its national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity. 

Cambodia sees China as a brother-like iron friend and is thankful for China's valuable assistance to Cambodia's national and military modernization and fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, Banh said. 

Cambodia is willing to work with China, under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, to continue to deepen practical exchanges and cooperation in various fields, work together to deal with common risks and challenges, and continuously improve the level of relations between the two countries and the two militaries, the Cambodian defense chief said.

China and Cambodia will celebrate the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2023.

Meanwhile, the air forces of China and Thailand are also staging a routine joint drill code-named Falcon Strike 2022 in Thailand, which started on Sunday and will last 10 days. China's Ministry of National Defense said in a press release on Friday that the main exercise subjects for this year include air support, ground assault, and force operation. The Chinese Air Force will send fighters, destroyers and early warning aircraft.

"ASEAN members do not want to take sides between China and the US, as an outbreak of conflicts between the two powers would be bad news for everyone in the region. So, the US has miscalculated in attempting to woo them to take a tough stance against China, as a balanced policy is in the best interests of the ASEAN members," Song Zhongping, a military expert and TV commentator, told the Global Times on Monday. 

Another international studies expert told the Global Times on condition of anonymity on Sunday that against the backdrop of Washington's fierce push for its anti-China "Asia-Pacific" strategy, it is urgent for China and ASEAN members to maximize all-round cooperation in the domains of diplomacy, security and military affairs, which is vital to safeguard the security of China and that of all countries in the region.

China and ASEAN members are geographically close neighbors and highly integrated economy-wise, which offers a natural ground for developing common interests and great space for in-depth diplomacy and military cooperation. 

Closer ties in those fields would be also an effective defense mechanism to fend off attempts of troublemakers from outside the region such as the US to practice their "divide and defeat" strategy in the region, the expert noted.