China has granted over $100 million in military aid to Cambodia, Cambodia’s Defense Ministry said on Tuesday, highlighting the strong ties between Beijing and a government that critics accuse of destroying democracy ahead of an election next month. Prime Minister Hun Sen’s ruling party is expected to easily win the general election on July 29 as the Supreme Court dissolved the main opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) last November at the government’s request. The military aid was offered by China’s defense minister Wei Fenghe, who is currently in Phnom Penh to attend a China-Cambodia military exhibition, during a visit that began on June 16 and will end on Wednesday. Defense Ministry spokesman Chhum Sucheat said Wei “pledged more than $100 million grant” to be used for whatever Cambodia required, and that the Chinese and Cambodian armies would conduct joint exercises, dubbed “Dragon Gold”, again next year. Published in Daily Times, June 20th 2018.