PHNOM PENH, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia on Wednesday celebrated the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Royal Cambodian Army (RCA), an arm of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF).

Dressed in full military regalia, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet presided over the ceremony, which was held at the RCA's headquarters on the western outskirts of the capital Phnom Penh.

Upon his arrival, the prime minister rode in an open camouflaged Jeep to inspect the troops before proceeding to the stage.

At the event, a military parade was staged, demonstrating battle tanks, armored vehicles, artillery, rocket launchers, and other weapons as well as military trucks.

Speaking to thousands of troops at the ceremony, Hun Manet expressed his sincere gratitude to the armed forces for their great sacrifices to defend the country's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and the people.

He said the RCA has also made tremendous contributions to maintaining the kingdom's hard-won peace, which is the foremost prerequisite for national development.

He encouraged the troops to routinely increase their capacity in order to respond to current needs and to keep up with modern military equipment.

The RCA was founded in 1999. The RCAF, established in 1953, is also composed of the Royal Cambodian Navy and the Royal Cambodian Air Forces. Enditem

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