A Cambodian Defence Ministry spokesperson said that China’s defence minister Wei Fenghe had “pledged more than $100m” to be used for whatever Cambodia required, during his visit to a China-Cambodia military exhibition in Phnom Penh.

Spokesperson General Chum Socheat said: “He [Wei] did not specify what we can buy, just for use for any necessary need.”

He added that China had “promised to support, train and to help reform our military to be modernised like others” and that the two countries would next year hold their third series of joint military exercises known as “Golden Dragon”.

This comes as Cambodia’s prime minister Hun Sen’s ruling party is expected to win the general election on 29 July, after the Supreme Court dissolved the main opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party last November at the government’s request.

Last year, the United States and Cambodia scrapped their joint military exercises. The US has withdrawn financial support for Cambodia’s elections.

In a statement by China’s Defence Ministry, Wei said that Cambodia was a “loyal friend” and that he stood by the country as it tried to develop along a path that “accords with its national conditions”.

China is the biggest aid donor assisting Cambodia.