PHNOM PENH: The joint humanitarian exercise, named “Peace Angel-2023,” between China and Cambodia commenced in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, on Saturday. An inaugural ceremony was held to mark the beginning of the exercise.
At the inaugural ceremony, Senior Colonel Hao Linyuan, who leads the Chinese guidance and coordination group for the exercise, and Gen. Eth Sarath, the deputy commander-in-chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and chief of joint staff, addressed the gathering.
Hao emphasized that this joint exercise holds significant importance as it represents a bilateral cooperation effort between the two nations’ militaries. He stated that it serves as both a practical measure to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of China and Cambodia and an opportunity for the Chinese and Cambodian militaries to exchange and learn from each other’s medical services.
Sarath, in his speech, highlighted that this year marks the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Cambodia and is designated as the Year of China-Cambodia Friendship. He emphasized that the joint exercise underscores the enduring traditional friendship between China and Cambodia.
Sarath further noted that the participating troops would benefit from the drill activities by learning from each other’s experiences and enhancing their professional skills. This, in turn, would significantly bolster the Cambodian Royal Army’s capabilities in joint rescue operations during multinational missions and in responding to emergency disaster medical rescue missions promptly.
The opening ceremony was attended by officers and soldiers from both China and Cambodia, military attachés representing various countries in Cambodia, and observers from several Southeast Asian nations.
Major General Pen Sokrit Vityea, who heads the Cambodian working group for the exercise, described the joint exercise organized by the Chinese and Cambodian militaries as a vital component of their humanitarian rescue efforts and collaborative medical treatment initiatives. He emphasized that it exemplifies the robust military and medical exchanges and cooperation between Cambodia and China.
