logo
China takes mediation role in Thai-Cambodian conflict, calls for restraint

China takes mediation role in Thai-Cambodian conflict, calls for restraint

China's ambassador to the
United Nations has called for a de-escalation in the conflict between Thailand and Cambodia and confirmed that Beijing is playing 'a mediation role' after the sudden
border clash on Thursday.
In an interview broadcast on state-owned CCTV on Friday,
Fu Cong said that 'China is playing a mediation role to facilitate communication between the two sides, and hopes the situation will stabilise as soon as possible'.
Fu also urged the two nations to 'exercise restraint' and 'stabilise the situation' during the interview.
'Cambodia and Thailand are not only China's good neighbours, but also friendly neighbours to each other and important members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations,' he said.
'Asean has a long-standing tradition of resolving differences through peaceful means, and we hope that peace will once again prevail in this case.'
Thai and Cambodian armies clashed along their shared border on Thursday, in a major escalation that included artillery fire and rockets. The conflict has led to multiple deaths within 24 hours, believed to be mostly civilians.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Hong Kong aiming to produce world snooker champion with help of Judd Trump, Neil Robertson
Hong Kong aiming to produce world snooker champion with help of Judd Trump, Neil Robertson

South China Morning Post

time17 hours ago

  • South China Morning Post

Hong Kong aiming to produce world snooker champion with help of Judd Trump, Neil Robertson

Superstar duo Judd Trump and Neil Robertson have set themselves the ambitious target of producing Hong Kong's first world snooker champion. Zhao Xintong finally broke mainland China's World Championship duck this year, but Marco Fu Ka-chun's 2006 and 2016 semi-final runs have been the best of it for Hong Kong. Fu's compatriot Ng On-yee won the most recent of her three women's world titles in 2019. The former world champion pair of Trump and Robertson, who both have Hong Kong residency, co-founded the Hong Kong Billiard Sports Academy, which was officially opened on Wednesday. 'There's been a gap between Marco and On-yee, and the next talent to come through,' Trump said. 'Maybe that's because there aren't enough snooker facilities in Hong Kong that are right for children. Neil Robertson and Judd Trump (left and right in the middle) with young players at the academy. Photo: Jonathan Wong 'A lot of clubs are dingy and smoky, so it's nice to open a professional facility to practise.

China calls for halt to ‘dangerous' Gaza siege as Israel weighs full takeover
China calls for halt to ‘dangerous' Gaza siege as Israel weighs full takeover

South China Morning Post

time21 hours ago

  • South China Morning Post

China calls for halt to ‘dangerous' Gaza siege as Israel weighs full takeover

China has called on Israel to 'immediately halt' its actions in the Gaza Strip while urging greater unity among Arab countries over the Palestinian territory, amid reports that Israel's prime minister and top security officials are weighing a full occupation of Gaza. A complete takeover, which reportedly would include areas where hostages might be held, would be a dramatic escalation of Israel's military operation, as a humanitarian crisis has deepened in recent weeks. Local health authorities have reported people being killed or injured by Israeli gunfire while waiting for restricted aid deliveries as international experts have warned of famine. Israel has accused Hamas, which runs the Gazan government, of looting food and other items. At a United Nations Security Council meeting on Tuesday, Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, urged Israel to 'immediately halt such dangerous actions', which he said Beijing was deeply concerned about. 'Fully implementing the two-state solution and achieving Palestinian independence is the only viable path to resolving the Palestinian issue and preventing similar hostage crises in the future,' Geng was quoted as saying by state news agency Xinhua.

PLA showcases amphibious attacks on Taiwan in latest episode of documentary
PLA showcases amphibious attacks on Taiwan in latest episode of documentary

South China Morning Post

time2 days ago

  • South China Morning Post

PLA showcases amphibious attacks on Taiwan in latest episode of documentary

The most recent of the five-part series to be broadcast on the Chinese mainland shows rapid switch from training drill to simulated full-scale assault The People's Liberation Army has showcased its advanced amphibious assault and landing capabilities in the latest episode of a documentary series commemorating its foundation, in what is seen as a clear message to Taiwan amid simmering tensions. The episode, which appeared online on Monday, depicts a 'cold start' operation that involves units transitioning directly from a training drill to a simulated full-scale assault. It appears to include footage of previous live-fire exercises around Taiwan. Paratroopers can be seen penetrating enemy lines to guide precision strikes, while infiltrating frogmen seize key infrastructure and amphibious armoured units conduct ship-borne sea transits. The episode also features unmanned combat formations breaching beachheads after initial firepower suppression, and joint forces executing maritime blockades and area denial operations – all relevant to any amphibious operation across the Taiwan Strait. The five-part documentary series – called Forging Ahead – has been airing on state broadcaster CCTV since Friday to mark the 98th anniversary of the PLA's founding on August 1, 1927. Beijing regards Taiwan as part of China, to be reunited by force if necessary. Most countries, including the United States, do not recognise the island as independent but Washington is opposed to any attempt to take it by force and is committed to supplying Taipei with arms. The PLA has intensified its posture around the self-ruling island in recent years, particularly after William Lai Ching-te became Taiwanese leader last year and repeatedly angered Beijing by making a series of remarks Beijing interpreted as supporting independence. Newsletter Every Saturday SCMP Global Impact By submitting, you consent to receiving marketing emails from SCMP. If you don't want these, tick here {{message}} Thanks for signing up for our newsletter! Please check your email to confirm your subscription. Follow us on Facebook to get our latest news. The PLA's 100th anniversary has been set as a key milestone in its modernisation, prompting the US military to warn that Beijing might attack the island by 2027. A sudden attack, such as a 'cold start' from a drill, is widely considered to be a possible scenario. The documentary's depiction begins with a night-loading exercise, as a PLA Army armoured brigade drives its vehicles onto to a Type 071 amphibious transport dock. Proposed US stopover by Taiwanese leader William Lai reportedly blocked by Washington According to the episode, the unit spent two days at sea on board the 25,000-tonne vessel and was 'circling the target' when it received orders to 'immediately transition from training to combat'. The brigade is shown joining other PLA air and sea forces, including an aircraft carrier strike group, and going on to 'open up the last kilometre of barriers before landing', the documentary said. Missiles launched from aircraft and ships, along with long-range rockets, delivered the initial wave of firepower while unmanned surface vessels and aerial drones served as the first wave of the landing operation depicted in the episode. They were followed by helicopters, landing craft, amphibious vehicles, and airborne troops advancing towards a beachhead. The documentary did not name the target, nor specify when the exercise took place. However, it included footage of PLA long-range rockets hitting a mock-up of Taiwan's largest liquefied natural gas terminal – a feature of the live-fire drills code-named Strait Thunder 2025A in April. State broadcaster CCTV also announced on August 1 that the PLA Navy's fourth Type 075 landing helicopter dock, called the Hubei, has entered service. Photo: CCTV There were also scenes in the episode from inside command headquarters, as well as a simulated severe communication interference using alternative data links and launching a saturation fire attack that sinks an 'enemy ship' at sea. The PLA has been practising this type of blockade and area denial doctrine in preparation for a potential Taiwan contingency, along with infiltration drills by special combat forces such as the paratroopers and frogmen that were also featured. The episode ended with a sound bite from a PLA Eastern Theatre Command spokesperson announcing the start of what came to be known as Strait Thunder 2025A – describing it as a 'serious warning and powerful deterrence against Taiwan-independence forces'. CCTV said in a separate report on Friday that the PLA Navy's fourth Type 075 landing helicopter dock, called the Hubei, has entered service as the latest addition to its rapidly expanding fleet of amphibious assault vessels. At around 235 metres (771 feet) long and with a 40,000-tonne displacement, the Type 075 can carry a mix of helicopters, landing craft, armoured vehicles and several hundred marines. Its flight deck supports the simultaneous operation of up to six helicopters for an air assault, while the floodable well deck allows for the efficient deployment of landing craft and amphibious vehicles The PLA has also launched a Type 076 landing helicopter dock, equipped with an electromagnetic catapult, that could be commissioned as early as the end of next year.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store