China has called on Cambodia and Thailand to intensify efforts towards achieving a lasting peace along their shared border, following the worst clashes in more than a decade between the two Southeast Asian neighbours.
In a statement on Friday, the Chinese foreign ministry said Foreign Minister Wang Yi reaffirmed Beijing’s support for the two countries to reach a sustainable ceasefire. The remarks came after a trilateral meeting with the Thai and Cambodian foreign ministers on the sidelines of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Yunnan province.
Wang urged both nations to work towards reconciliation, while also proposing wider regional cooperation in agriculture, water management, environmental governance, and emerging sectors such as energy storage, electric vehicles, and photovoltaics. He further highlighted the need for stronger law enforcement partnerships, including creating a platform to protect overseas citizens and tackle cross-border crime.
The Chinese readout noted that the three countries also discussed establishing a legal and judicial exchange mechanism “as soon as possible” to reinforce peace and cooperation.
Separately, Wang held informal talks with foreign ministers from Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos, where he expressed hopes that Myanmar would proceed with fair elections and restore stability.
Myanmar’s military recently handed power to a civilian-led interim administration tasked with preparing elections for December and January, nearly four years after ousting the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.
Acknowledging that the region’s security outlook was “not optimistic,” Wang called for stronger joint border operations and closer collaboration to ensure peace and stability.
Written By Rodney Mbua
