participating forces of the China-Cambodia Golden Dragon-2024 joint exercise conduct live-fire drills in the sea near Sihanoukville Port in Cambodia on May 27, 2024. Photo: CCTV

On Monday local time, the participating forces of the China-Cambodia Golden Dragon-2024 joint exercise conducted live-fire drills in the sea near Sihanoukville Port in Cambodia.

A total of 16 ships of the two militaries participated in the exercise, marking the first joint live-fire drill between Chinese naval vessels and the Cambodian navy. The part of the exercise focuses on maritime anti-terrorism and anti-hijacking operations, China Central Television reported Tuesday. 

In a hypothetical scenario in which several terrorists hijack a cargo ship and kidnap the crew demanding a ransom in an area of sea off the Cambodian coast, the Chinese amphibious landing ship Qilianshan, missile corvette Wenshan and Bazhong, along with Cambodian navy vessels, formed a joint maritime task force and were dispatched to the scene to resolve the situation. 

The task force deployed in a search formation, and after comprehensive analysis of multiple sources of intelligence, they collectively confirmed the target and quickly approached the target vessel. On approach, a Cambodian ship used external loudspeakers and the very high frequency international channel to express their willingness to negotiate with the target. However, the terrorists suddenly opened fire on the ship using light weapons, prompting the task force commander to order the Wenshan and Bazhong ships to intercept and fire on the cargo ship.

In order to pressure the task force to abandon the pursuit, the terrorists set fire to the front of the cargo ship as a threat. Considering the safety of the cargo ship and the hostages, the Wenshan and Bazhong quickly advanced and used high-pressure water guns to support firefighting efforts.

An assault boat carrying more than 10 Cambodian special force members launched a rescue operation using rapid approach, flanking, and forced assault tactics. After gaining control of the cargo ship, the special force members found one crew member severely injured and another with minor injuries, and requested the fleet to quickly dispatch medical personnel for emergency treatment for the injured crew members.

The Qilianshan quickly lowered a small boat, carrying the medical team to transfer the seriously injured crew member to the offshore medical station. Concurrently, the Cambodian side dispatched speedboats to transfer the lightly injured crew member and terrorists, putting an end to the exercise. 

Under the theme of "joint counter-terrorism operations and humanitarian relief" and being held separately on the land and at sea, the China-Cambodia Golden Dragon-2024 joint exercise kicked off on May 16. Focusing on the rescue of hostages in urban regions, the elimination of enemies in mountainous camps and maritime anti-hijacking, the exercises are divided into three phases, namely the adaptation phase, the command phase and the live-action phase. 

Through on-site demonstration and hands-on training, the Chinese Navy organized troops from both sides to engage in training sessions on damage control, battlefield medical care, which further honed the participating troops' military skills and enhanced their coordination and cooperation, according to Chinese Military Online. 

The drills are aimed at non-traditional security threats, including the common threats faced by humanity like terrorism, piracy and natural disaster, experts stressed, dismissing rumors that Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base is being used as a Chinese overseas military base.

As China and Cambodia jointly partake in military drills, the Western media once again tried to hype up the topic of potential military base, completely disregarding the facts, Zhang Junshe, a Chinese military expert, told the Global Times. 

Zhang emphasized that China's assistance in upgrading and renovating the Cambodian naval base is aimed at enhancing Cambodia's ability to maintain maritime territorial integrity and combat maritime crime. 

“This type of cooperation not only complies with the domestic laws of both countries but also with relevant international laws and practices," he said. “Certain Western officials and media continue to spread rumors and smear the normal cooperation between China and Cambodia, with a purpose to promote the 'China threat narrative' and to sow discord in China-Cambodia relations, but their schemes will not succeed."