China offers to resolve Thailand-Cambodia rift

Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday called on Cambodia and Thailand to make decisive moves to cease fire, minimize losses promptly and rebuild mutual trust, saying that China will continue to play a constructive role in facilitating the restoration of peace between the two countries.

Wang made the statement during his separate telephone conversations with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn and Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow.

The talks came as the Cambodia-Thailand border conflict reignited on Dec 7, less than two months after the two sides signed a joint peace declaration. The new round of border clashes has resulted in 18 civilian deaths in Cambodia, Xinhua News Agency reported.

On Thursday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry's Special Envoy for Asian Affairs Deng Xijun embarked on a shuttle-diplomacy trip to the two countries in an effort to bridge the differences between the two sides and help rebuild peace. Deng previously visited Thailand and Cambodia in September as part of China's diplomatic engagement.

During Thursday's phone talks, both the Cambodian and Thai foreign ministers briefed Wang on the latest developments regarding their border conflict and expressed their willingness to de-escalate the situation and cease fire.

Wang said that, as a friend of and close neighbor to both Cambodia and Thailand, China is most reluctant to see the two nations engage in conflict, and is deeply saddened by the civilian casualties resulting from the clashes.

This round of conflict is more intense than previous ones, and continued fighting would benefit neither side and would harm the unity of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, he said. The pressing priority is to make decisive moves to cease fire, minimize losses promptly and rebuild mutual trust, he added.

Wang emphasized that China maintains fairness and impartiality regarding the Cambodia-Thailand border dispute, remains committed to promoting peace and dialogue, and supports ASEAN's mediation efforts.

Highlighting Beijing's readiness to bridge the differences between the two countries to restore peace, he expressed hope that both countries would take effective measures to ensure the safety of Chinese projects and personnel, and remain vigilant against any attempts to spread false information that could tarnish China's friendly relations with both nations.

Impartial stance

The Cambodian and Thai foreign ministers said they highly appreciated China's objective and impartial stance on the issue, and its efforts to mediate and promote dialogue.

They welcomed the shuttle diplomacy by the Chinese envoy and looked forward to China playing a more significant role in de-escalating the situation and restoring peace.

Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to deploy an ASEAN observer team as part of efforts to de-escalate their conflict, Xinhua reported.