Cambodia Received 290 Chinese Military Trucks

23 Juni 2020

Lieutenant General Hun Manet said the GENLYON vehicles were purchased to strengthen the armed forces (all photos : Khmer Times)

Very successful drive: PM held fundraiser to buy Chinese military trucks

Royal Cambodian Army Commander Lieutenant General Hun Manet yesterday defended the purchase of nearly 300 military trucks from China, saying the government did not use “a single riel” from the national budget.

A total of 290 military trucks arrived in the Kingdom on a cargo ship from China last week. The vehicles were handed over to the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces’ units and the National Police yesterday.

Speaking during the handover ceremony in Phnom Penh’s Olympic Stadium, Lt Gen Manet who is also RCAF’s deputy commander-in-chief, said the vehicles were purchased to strengthen the armed forces so it can serve the people and the nation’s interests better.

He said the trucks were purchased by the Kingdom through a fundraising effort initiated by Prime Minister Hun Sen. He said the money was donated by Cambodian companies and Cambodian people.

“I wish to clarify that we did not use even a single riel of the national budget, but used money from the fundraising with local charities,” he said. “The initiative by Samdech Decho [Mr Hun Sen] to appeal to generous people to support the army is nothing new. He has been doing this for many years.”

The order to purchase the trucks was made mid last year and they were expected to arrive early this year. They only arrived this month due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Lt Gen Manet also denied reports that the vehicles were donated by the Chinese government. He said China has regularly helped the Kingdom even during the COVID-19 outbreak, including sending medical experts and donating medical supplies, but not the military trucks.

“We do not need to lie, If they were donated by China, then we will say it is a Chinese donation,” Lt Gen Manet said. “If it was a Chinese donation and we said we purchased the truck, would they agree?”

See full article KhmerTimes