China Unveils Armed Robot Dog in Joint Cambodia Drills

China and Cambodia conduct their largest-ever joint military drills, featuring "robodogs" and over 2,000 troops, raising concerns over Beijing's growing influence in the region as the United States watches closely.

China and Cambodia have commenced their largest-ever joint military exercises, named Golden Dragon, sparking concerns from the United States regarding Beijing's expanding influence in the region. The drills, taking place in central Kampong Chhnang province and at sea off Preah Sihanouk province, involve over 2,000 troops, including 760 Chinese military personnel.

A focal point of the exercises is the unveiling of "robodogs" — remote-controlled four-legged robots armed with automatic rifles. The display of military hardware also includes 14 warships, with three from China, two helicopters, and 69 armored vehicles and tanks. The drills encompass various scenarios, including live-fire exercises, anti-terrorism simulations, and humanitarian rescue operations, aimed at enhancing the capabilities of both armies in combating terrorism.

Cambodia, a steadfast ally of China, has received significant investments from Beijing over the years. Washington's concerns center around China's utilization of a naval base in Cambodia's Gulf of Thailand, which it is currently upgrading. This strategic location could potentially bolster China's presence in the disputed South China Sea, an area largely claimed by Beijing.

Despite assurances from Cambodian officials that they would not permit foreign military bases on their soil, China's involvement in renovating the Ream naval base has raised eyebrows in Washington. The recent docking of Chinese warships at Ream underscores Beijing's increasing military engagement in Cambodia.

The Golden Dragon exercises mark a significant shift in Cambodia's military partnerships, particularly with the scrapping of joint exercises with US forces in favor of closer collaboration with China. The presence of Chinese vessels at Ream and Sihanoukville further emphasizes the deepening ties between China and Cambodia.

While Cambodian officials maintain that the exercises aim to bolster their military capabilities and deepen bilateral ties, the growing presence of Chinese military assets in the region continues to raise questions about the geopolitical dynamics in Southeast Asia.