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The Star
9 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Thailand closes border crossings with Cambodia as dispute deepens
Cambodian soldiers gather during a visit of Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet at a military base, following a clash at the Thailand-Cambodia border on May 28, 2025, in Preah Vihear province, Cambodia, June 23, 2025. Agence Kampuchea Press/Handout via REUTERS BANGKOK (Reuters) -Thailand's military has closed border crossings into Cambodia to almost all travellers, including tourists and traders, citing security concerns as tensions between the two Southeast Asian neighbours remain escalated over a simmering border dispute. The deterioration in ties was sparked by brief armed clashes in a border area that left one Cambodian soldier dead late last month. Both governments have since announced measures designed to punish the other, including Cambodia's recent suspension of all Thai fuel and gas imports. Thailand will now restrict all vehicles, tourists and traders from crossing at all land border checkpoints in seven provinces bordering Cambodia, the military said in a statement issued late on Monday, citing security concerns. There are exemptions for humanitarian reasons, such as for those needing medical attention, students and other urgent matters at the discretion of security units at checkpoints, the statement said. The restrictions "matched the current security situation, particularly in addressing the conflict in areas between Thailand and Cambodia that continue to intensify politically, diplomatically and militarily," the statement said. The military said the measures would also assist in a crackdown on illegal scam centres in Cambodia flagged by Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on Monday. Paetongtarn said Thailand would stop cross-border supplies of essentials, including electricity, to areas where illicit operations were taking place. The prime minister has been under fire for her handling of the border row, particularly after the leaking of a phone call between her and Hun Sen, Cambodia's former leader, that appeared to show her denigrating a senior Thai military commander. (Reporting by Panu Wongcha-um; Editing by John Mair)
Otago Daily Times
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Thailand-Cambodia borders close as dispute deepens
Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet speaks during a visit to a military base, following a clash at the Thailand-Cambodia border. Photo: Agence Kampuchea Press/Handout via REUTERS Thailand's military has closed border crossings into Cambodia to almost all travellers, including tourists and traders, citing security concerns as tensions between the two Southeast Asian neighbours remain escalated over a simmering border dispute. The deterioration in ties was sparked by brief armed clashes in a border area that left one Cambodian soldier dead late last month. Both governments have since announced measures designed to punish the other, including Cambodia's recent suspension of all Thai fuel and gas imports. Thailand will now restrict all vehicles, tourists and traders from crossing at all land border checkpoints in seven provinces bordering Cambodia, the military said in a statement issued late on Monday, citing security concerns. There are exemptions for humanitarian reasons, such as for those needing medical attention, students and other urgent matters at the discretion of security units at checkpoints, the statement said. The restrictions "matched the current security situation, particularly in addressing the conflict in areas between Thailand and Cambodia that continue to intensify politically, diplomatically and militarily," the statement said. The military said the measures would also assist in a crackdown on illegal scam centres in Cambodia flagged by Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on Monday. Paetongtarn said Thailand would stop cross-border supplies of essentials, including electricity, to areas where illicit operations were taking place. The prime minister has been under fire for her handling of the border row, particularly after the leaking of a phone call between her and Hun Sen, Cambodia's former leader, that appeared to show her denigrating a senior Thai military commander.
Straits Times
28-04-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Chinese President Xi to visit Shanghai this week, sources say
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet (not pictured) at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, April 17, 2025. Agence Kampuchea Press/Handout via REUTERS NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY SHANGHAI - Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to visit China's international financial hub of Shanghai this week, two sources familiar with the matter said. The visit would be his first trip to the eastern Chinese city since November 2023, during which he urged the city to build upon its strengths as a financial centre and take a lead in technology. He also during that trip hosted a meeting with provinces comprising of China's Yangtze River Economic Belt, an area that comprises Shanghai and 10 other provinces and cities along the Yangtze River, a key export hub which accounts for about more than 40 per cent of China's gross domestic product. The State Council Information Office, which handles media queries for the Chinese government, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Mr Xi's visit to Shanghai this year comes as Washington and Beijing remain locked in a trade war that is threatening to sap global growth. US President Donald Trump asserted in an interview published on April 25 that tariff negotiations were under way with China, but Beijing denied any talks were taking place, the latest in a series of conflicting signals over whether progress was being made to de-escalate the trade battle. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
South China Morning Post
26-04-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Why the Philippines can't ignore China's Southeast Asia pivot
The Philippines occupies a unique position as the sole US treaty ally in Southeast Asia, but recent regional realignments will demand careful diplomacy. Advertisement Southeast Asia has been top of mind for China lately – and with good reason. The latest wave of US President Donald Trump 's protectionist tariffs has forced Beijing to look elsewhere for economic stability, prompting a strategic pivot towards its immediate neighbourhood. Just a week after Trump unveiled 'reciprocal' tariffs targeting global trade partners, China convened a landmark high-level foreign-relations meeting: the Central Conference on Work Related to Neighbouring Countries. This conference, the first of its kind since 2013, marked a turning point in China's approach to neighbourhood diplomacy. Three key takeaways from the two-day meeting are particularly relevant to the Philippines as it navigates its own relationship with a China that is decisively recalibrating its regional focus. First, Chinese President Xi Jinping made clear that Southeast Asia was a top diplomatic priority – not only due to its geographic proximity but because he sees the region as a model for China's broader diplomatic initiatives. Second, China's leadership lauded its ties with neighbouring countries as the best in modern history, despite lingering territorial disputes. And lastly, China recognised the need to continue building mutual trust with its neighbours, stressing the importance of dialogue to manage differences and disputes. People holding pictures of China's Xi Jinping and Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni react as Xi arrives at Phnom Penh International Airport on April 17 for a two-day visit. Photo: Agence Kampuchea Press/Reuters To underscore this renewed focus, Xi embarked on a week-long diplomatic tour of Vietnam Malaysia and Cambodia . This was not only his first state visit of the year but also the first instance of a multi-country sweep across Southeast Asia by Beijing in recent memory. In meeting after meeting, Xi drove home the same pointed message to his regional counterparts: stand together against unilateral bullying, reject protectionism, and embrace the spirit of good neighbourliness.
