Foreign ministers from China, Thailand, and Cambodia held a meeting in China to discuss and agree on effectively implementing the ceasefire agreement reached after recent armed clashes between Thailand and Cambodia.
On the 29th, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that Wang Yi, Director of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission Office of the Communist Party of China and concurrently the Minister of Foreign Affairs, along with Prak Sokhonn, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, and Don Pramudwinai, Thai Foreign Minister, as well as military leaders from the three countries, convened in Yuxi, Yunnan Province in southern China.
Director Wang Yi welcomed the ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand. He stated that during the three-nation meeting, a significant consensus was reached on steadily implementing the ceasefire agreement without stagnation or abandonment, maintaining continuous communication, and gradually restoring relations between the two countries.
He emphasized, “The conflict caused damage to trust, but Cambodia and Thailand, as eternal neighboring countries with a long history of friendly exchanges, should heal the wounds from the conflict and genuinely restore their old friendship by removing barriers in their hearts.”
He further added, “We are always willing to act as a facilitator for the development of Cambodia-Thailand relations, offering assistance in areas such as ceasefire supervision, humanitarian aid, and landmine clearance cooperation,” expressing belief and expectation that Cambodia-Thailand relations will return to normal soon.
According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, the foreign ministers of Cambodia and Thailand emphasized the importance of peace and expressed their willingness to actively implement the ceasefire agreement, effectively use the dialogue mechanism at various levels, manage and resolve the dispute together, and safeguard the peace of the border area.
Both countries also appreciated China’s role in easing tensions and conveyed gratitude for China arranging the platform for dialogue.
Additionally, after the meeting, the foreign ministers of the three countries issued a five-point statement that included the enhancement of communication and understanding between Cambodia and Thailand, solidifying the gradual phase of the ceasefire, restoring mutual exchanges, rebuilding political mutual trust, restoring relations, and safeguarding regional peace.
The three-country meeting was facilitated as Cambodia and Thailand’s foreign ministers visited China on a two-day schedule at the invitation of Director Wang.
Thailand and Cambodia have been involved in a territorial dispute over undefined areas along the 817 km border line initially demarcated by France during its colonial rule over Cambodia in 1907.
The two countries engaged in small-scale skirmishes in May, had an armed clash in July, and then reached a ceasefire agreement in October through the mediation of then U.S. President Donald Trump, but resumed hostilities on December 7.
The clashes this month resulted in at least 101 deaths and over 500,000 displaced people, and both countries agreed to a ceasefire on December 27, after 20 days of fighting.
China has faced suspicions of supporting Cambodia during these armed clashes. Reports emerged that Thai forces had captured Chinese-made anti-tank missiles and other equipment from Cambodian military positions.
In response to the controversy, the Chinese Foreign Ministry stated, “China has conducted normal defense cooperation with both Thailand and Cambodia in the past. This does not target any third country and is unrelated to the Cambodia-Thailand border conflict,” denying the allegations of supporting Cambodia.
The previous day, Director Wang held talks with the foreign ministers of Cambodia and Thailand separately, emphasizing the need to normalize bilateral relations.