Bangkok: China's special envoy has called for an immediate ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia to address ongoing border conflicts. Deng Xijun, the Special Envoy for Asian Affairs, emphasized the necessity of halting hostilities to reopen negotiations and resolve the border dispute peacefully.
According to Thai News Agency, Deng Xijun has been actively involved in diplomatic efforts, visiting both nations to engage with their prime ministers and high-ranking officials. The Chinese Foreign Ministry announced that China supports ASEAN's neutral stance and is prepared to facilitate further discussions between the two countries. Deng's recent diplomatic efforts have culminated in an agreement for Thailand and Cambodia to convene a defense officials' meeting this Wednesday to discuss reviving the ceasefire agreement. This development has garnered positive reactions from ASEAN.
The conflict, which has persisted for the past three weeks, erupted along the 817-kilometer border shared by Thailand and Cambodia. This renewed violence comes after a previously negotiated ceasefire, brokered with the assistance of Malaysia and former US President Donald Trump, fell apart. In response, China joined other ASEAN member countries in urging both sides to exercise restraint and work towards ending the conflict.
Positioning itself as a "friend" and "close neighbor" to both nations, China has taken steps to mediate the conflict, advocating for its approach to conflict resolution. This approach notably excludes mention of Trump's ceasefire efforts. Meanwhile, Trump has asserted that the conflict between Thailand and Cambodia was among the eight global wars he helped halt, despite the resurgence of fighting.
In an editorial published by the state-run China Daily, China emphasized its balanced and constructive mediation approach, highlighting its previous success in facilitating reconciliation between Iran and Saudi Arabia. The editorial argued that China's historical understanding and willingness to mediate make it uniquely suited to handle such complex regional disputes.