Recently, in accordance with routine practice, China is set to conduct the "Golden Dragon" series of military exercises in Cambodia.
A significant amount of weapons and equipment, as well as vehicles participating in the exercise, have already crossed the South China Sea and arrived at the "Sihanoukville Port" in Cambodia.
While this exercise may seem routine, a closer examination of its details reveals that the process of deploying military force to Cambodia may hold more strategic significance than the exercise itself.
Firstly, from the perspective of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), this exercise involves forces from a certain southern theater command.
The troops assembled at a military port terminal in Zhanjiang on May 9th, where a departure ceremony was held.
Finally, on May 13th, the equipment and vehicles of the relevant units completed their unloading tasks.
Chinese sources specifically mentioned "close cooperation with Cambodian counterparts in unloading operations at universities."
This matter can be viewed from two perspectives.
On one hand, there's the military exercise itself, the "Golden Dragon" series.
Each iteration follows a similar overall direction, with this year marking the sixth edition.
The primary objectives are "counter-terrorism, defense, and rescue."
This reflects China's overall expectations for Cambodia, primarily aimed at preventing external forces from causing chaos in Cambodia and, if possible, containing Vietnam in the Indochina Peninsula.
On the other hand, the focus is on the characteristics of this exercise.
Due to the limited number of participating forces, totaling only about 300 personnel, roughly equivalent to a composite battalion.
Only one amphibious dock landing ship, the "Qilian Mountain," was deployed, without even bringing along escort ships.
The deployment of troops and vehicles via the Type 071 amphibious landing ship for long-distance missions is itself a very subtle strategic maneuver.
This not only highlights China's control over the South China Sea but also showcases its long-range deployment capabilities.
From the perspective of regional military development, the military forces of Southeast Asian countries may be unable to resist an attack by several composite battalions from China.
This visit to Cambodia took roughly two days at sea, including boarding and unloading.
This implies that China has the capability to deploy a small-scale military force that most Southeast Asian countries cannot counter.
Considering China's land reclamation and island-building activities in the South China Sea, as well as the comprehensive defense system it has constructed, including the Air Force, Rocket Force, and possibly even Strategic Support Force, several flexible composite battalions are already capable of causing chaos in certain Southeast Asian countries.
Therefore, from the perspective of this strategic deployment, China's low-key "muscle-flexing" holds more strategic value than the exercise itself.
It's worth mentioning that the Philippines has recently been escalating tensions in the South China Sea, continuously provoking China.
Conflicts between China and the Philippines are no longer a distant possibility.
The behavior of the United States during the 2016 South China Sea arbitration case has already indicated whether it will support the Philippines.
Compared to the Philippines' lengthy coastline, China's maritime military strength is fully capable of comprehensive suppression, creating conditions for long-range deployments.
At this time, China's demonstration of its deployment capabilities in Southeast Asia appears to be of profound significance.
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