Cambodia agrees deal to buy army choppers from China
January 23, 2013
REUTERS
In this photo released by China's Xinhua News Agency, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, right, shakes hand with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen during their meeting in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on Sept. 2, 2012. (AP Photo)
PHNOM PENH--Cambodia will use part of a $195 million loan from China to buy 12 of its military helicopters and boost its tiny fleet, its defense minister said on Jan. 23, the latest deal underlining Beijing's tight alliance with the Southeast Asian country.
Tea Banh said the 12 Chinese-built Zhi-9 army utility helicopters would be for use mainly in humanitarian missions. He did not disclose the cost of the helicopters.
"Clearly, these will help our efficiency and capability," Tea Banh said during a ceremony in which the Deputy Chief of Staff of China's military, General Qi Jianguo, signed an agreement to help train Cambodia's armed forces.
Chinese Harbin Z-9 Helicopter
China has played a key role in improving Cambodia's dilapidated military inventory over the past two years, as well as providing big loans and a slew of large-scale investments in construction, energy, transport and agriculture.
That influx of cash has earned China a small but significant ally in Southeast Asia as the United States seeks to boost its footprint in the region to capitalize on its growth and counter Beijing's growing influence.
Critics accuse China of using its economic muscle to ensure Cambodia works in its strategic interests within the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which requires consensus on all decisions.
In the past year, Chinese companies have pledged to invest $8 billion in Cambodia, a figure equivalent to almost two-thirds of its entire economy. The $195 million loan was made in late 2012.
The alliance between the two countries expanded to defense support in 2010 when Beijing donated 250 jeeps, trucks and ambulances to Cambodia's army after the U.S. scrapped its plan to provide the military with 200 vehicles.
That was in response to Cambodia sending 20 ethnic minority Uighur asylum seekers back to China in 2009 at Bejing's request.
Much of Cambodia's military equipment is outdated and in need of repair, with only a few helicopters currently in use.
Cambodia agrees deal to buy army choppers from China - AJW by The Asahi Shimbun
Qi Jianguo attends graduation ceremony at China-aided Cambodian Army Academy
(China Military Online)
09:16, January 28, 2013
With China's assistance in its building and teaching, the Royal Cambodian Army Academy held the graduation ceremony of its first batch of cadets on January 24, 2013. Qi Jianguo, deputy chief of general staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), and his party were invited to the ceremony.
In his speech, Hun Sen, Cambodia's prime minister, expressed that the Army Academy is a witness to the friendship between the two countries and also another highlight of the cooperation between the two countries. The first batch of cadets jointly trained by the two sides has graduated as scheduled, which has epoch-making significance. The Cambodian side is sincerely thankful to the Chinese side for its valuable assistance and is willing to seek closer cooperation to constantly develop the bilateral relations.
In his address, Qi Jianguo hoped that the cadets would make great contributions to the building of Cambodia and its military as well as the development of China-Cambodia friendship. China will, as always, support the building of the Cambodian military, strengthen pragmatic cooperation with the Cambodian military and make due contributions to promoting all-round development of the relations between the two countries and maintaining regional peace and stability.
Pan Guangxue, Chinese ambassador to Cambodia, Tea Banh, Cambodian deputy prime minister and defense minister, and Pol Saroeun, commander in chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF), were present at the ceremony.
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