China rejects media misrepresentations, stays committed to peaceful solution in Cambodia-Thailand dispute
China rejected reports misrepresenting China's defense cooperation with Cambodia on Friday, reiterating its "just and fair position" on the border conflict between the Southeast Asian country and Thailand.
A recent Western media report claimed that China has provided a large amount of military supplies to Cambodia, which led some to question China's neutral position on the border conflict between the two countries.
As a friendly neighbor of both Cambodia and Thailand, China has upheld a just and fair position and has made active efforts to promote peace talks, Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a regular news conference.
China carries out normal defense cooperation with all ASEAN countries, including Cambodia and Thailand, Guo said, adding that the attempts by some Western media outlets to sow discontent between China and the aforementioned countries will never succeed.
The foreign ministers of China, Cambodia and Thailand held an informal consultation in Southwest China's Yunnan province in August, and China's special envoy for Asian affairs have made multiple visits to Cambodia and Thailand for shuttle diplomacy.
With diplomatic efforts from China, Malaysia and various other parties, Cambodia and Thailand reached a ceasefire agreement, and the two sides are in communication via bilateral mechanisms, Guo said.
The relevant parties have spoken highly of China for playing a responsible role, he added.
China supports the two countries in resolving disputes through dialogue and consultation, and supports Malaysia, as the rotating chair of ASEAN, in promoting the political settlement of the issue through the ASEAN way, the spokesman said.
Beijing stands ready to continue promoting talks for peace in its own way, according to the willingness of Phnom Penh and Bangkok, Guo said, adding that China aims to play a constructive role for consolidating the ceasefire consensus and advancing the peaceful settlement of the dispute.
