China showcased its cutting-edge military technology, including machine gun and rocket launcher-equipped robot battle “dogs,” during its largest-ever joint military exercises with Cambodian forces, a few weeks ago. The display of military prowess comes against the backdrop of growing unease in the United States over Beijing’s expanding influence in Cambodia and the broader Southeast Asian region.
Cambodia has very strong ties with China and an anti-US sentiment. China also has several substantial investments in the region. Both both these factors have raised grave concerns in Washington.
The US fears that China could potentially use Cambodian infrastructure, particularly the naval base it is currently upgrading on the Gulf of Thailand, to extend its regional influence.
The joint military drills, named Golden Dragon, involved over 2,000 troops, including 760 Chinese military personnel, along with a formidable array of warships, helicopters, armoured vehicles, and tanks.
The exercises re set to run over a course of 15 days, and will involve a rather wide range of activities, from live-fire demonstrations to anti-terrorism operations and humanitarian rescue missions.
A notable highlight of the drills is the presence of “robodogs,” or the remote-controlled four-legged robots equipped with automatic rifles and in some cases, rocket launchers. Although their shooting capabilities were not showcased during the demonstration, the sight of these robotic warriors underscores China’s advancements in military technology.
In all likelihood, China hopes to deploy these robodogs in areas of conflict soon, otherwise, it wouldn’t have been a part of a joint-military exercise. Now, chances are that they let Cambodia try it out and experiment with the battle-ready version in their local conflicts, rather than deploy it themselves.
Cambodian armed forces commander-in-chief in a statement Vong Pisen emphasised that the exercises would bolster the counter-terrorism capabilities of both armies, reaffirming Cambodia’s stance against hosting foreign military bases on its soil.
The upgrading of Cambodia’s Ream naval base, partly funded by China, has raised alarms in Washington, which views the strategic location near the disputed South China Sea as potentially advantageous to Beijing’s maritime ambitions.
Despite assurances from Cambodian officials that the naval base will not host foreign troops, the presence of Chinese warships at Ream underscores China’s growing maritime influence in the region. The drills serve as a testament to the deepening military cooperation between China and Cambodia, with Beijing covering the costs of the exercises.
The Golden Dragon exercises mark a significant departure from previous joint military exercises involving US forces, such as “Angkor Sentinel,” which Cambodia discontinued in 2017. Instead, Cambodia has increasingly pivoted towards closer military ties with China, culminating in the current series of joint drills.
China’s diplomatic overtures to Cambodia, exemplified by the visit of its top diplomat Wang Yi in April, underscore Beijing’s commitment to deepening bilateral relations and consolidating its influence in the region.
As China flexes its military muscles in joint exercises with Cambodia, the United States remains vigilant over Beijing’s expanding footprint in Southeast Asia, underscoring the strategic importance of the region in the broader geopolitical landscape.
