Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen salutes at a ceremony in Phnom Penh Jan. 24, 2019. Cambodia on Thursday celebrated the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Royal Cambodian Army, an arm of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces. (Xinhua/Sovannara)
PHNOM PENH, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia on Thursday celebrated the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Royal Cambodian Army (RCA), an arm of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF).
Dressed in full military regalia, Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen presided over the ceremony, which was held at the RCA's headquarters on the western outskirts of Phnom Penh.
Upon his arrival, Hun Sen, along with his eldest son, Lieutenant General Hun Manet, who is the RCA's commander, rode in open Jeeps to inspect troops.
Travelling down a long street lined with tanks, armored vehicles, artillery, rocket launchers, and other weapons as well as military trucks, Hun Sen greeted thousands of troops and encouraged them to constantly strengthen their abilities in national defense.
"The army must be ready to defend national independence, sovereignty and the people," Hun Sen said in a speech at the event.
He said the army must work together with other forces to maintain peace, political stability, security, and social order.
"At any cost, we do not allow anyone to destroy our hard-earned peace," Hun Sen said.
He also told the troops to do their best to fight terrorism and to destroy any attempt to overthrow the government through undemocratic and unconstitutional means.
"The troops must fight all forms of terrorism that is currently threatening the world. Do not let Cambodia become a shelter for any terrorist group or a base for terrorism attacks," he said.
Speaking at the ceremony, Hun Manet vowed to defend the nation, religion and king, and would not allow any ill-intended group or hostile force to topple the legitimate government.
"The army is committed to smashing any conspiracy or attempt to destroy peace, and any plot to launch the color revolution in Cambodia," he said.
Founded in 1999, the RCA is an arm of the RCAF.
The RCAF, established in 1953, is also comprised of the Royal Cambodian Navy and the Royal Cambodian Air Forces.
