China’s defense minister is due to visit Cambodia this month to discuss expanding military ties between the two countries, according to Cambodia’s defense ministry.
General Wei Fenghe will arrive in Cambodia on June 16 for a five-day visit on the invitation of Cambodian Defense Minister Tea Banh.
As well as meeting Banh, Wei will also hold meetings with Prime Minister Hun Sen and other top officials, according to the statement.
He will also attend the opening ceremony of a joint Cambodia-China military exhibition in the capital’s Koh Pich commercial center.
General Chhum Socheat, a defense spokesman, said the visit would focus mainly on strengthening military ties between the two allies, but he declined to comment on whether any specific deals or agreements for further military aid would be discussed.
“The friendly visit between the two national defense ministries will enhance the cooperation between the Cambodian and Chinese army. This is the main issue,” he said.
Analysts have said that Cambodia is seeking to rapidly scale up its military ties with China after deteriorating relations with the United States when it pulled out of joint military drills last year.