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Bangkok Post
a day ago
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
China vows to continue Thailand-Cambodia peace efforts
China held talks with representatives from Thailand and Cambodia on Wednesday as efforts to defuse tensions following the recent deadly border clashes continued. The three-way discussions in Shanghai, hosted by vice-minister for foreign affairs Sun Weidong, secured a commitment from both sides to abide by the ceasefire and were described by Beijing as an 'informal consultation' given the 'fragile situation' on the ground. Underscoring that fragility, the two sides continued to trade accusations on Wednesday, with Thailand accusing Cambodian forces of a 'flagrant' violation of the ceasefire — claims Phnom Penh rejected as 'misleading and fabricated'. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a press conference later in the day that the meeting took place in a 'candid, friendly and conducive' atmosphere and both sides had 'reaffirmed to China their commitment to upholding the ceasefire'. Guo added that Beijing was working to 'create conditions for the early restoration of peace and stability' along the Thai-Cambodian border. 'We stand ready to maintain close communication with Cambodia, Thailand and Malaysia and other regional countries to play a constructive role in cementing the ceasefire agreement and to restore regional peace and stability,' Guo said. He added that Beijing supported the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) 'in advancing a political settlement'. China did not name the Thai or Cambodian delegates, but photos released by the foreign ministry in Beijing showed Sun standing with Kung Phaok, a Cambodian government minister responsible for foreign affairs, and Jullapong Nonsrichai, an executive adviser to the Thai Foreign Ministry. The latest round of fighting began last week after a landmine explosion wounded five Thai soldiers following months of escalating tensions. The fighting killed at least 41 people and forced hundreds of thousands to flee their homes. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai agreed to a ceasefire at midnight on Monday after talks hosted by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the current chairman of Asean. The talks in Kuala Lumpur were co-organised by the United States, while Chinese representatives also attended. On Wednesday morning, the Thai Foreign Ministry said troops in Si Sa Ket province 'came under attack by small arms fire and grenade assaults launched by Cambodian forces' less than 24 hours after the ceasefire agreement. However Cambodia accused Bangkok of 'distorting the facts on the ground and dangerously threatening the fragile trust and dialogue essential for lasting peace'. 'Cambodia reiterates that it has no intention, now or in the future, of breaching the ceasefire,' it added. Underscoring its commitment to peace efforts, China also said on Wednesday that Liu Jinsong, head of Asian affairs at the Foreign Ministry, had recently met the Thai and Cambodian ambassadors for 'in-depth and friendly exchanges on bilateral relations and issues of mutual concern'. Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi also stressed that Beijing would play a 'constructive role' in a meeting on Friday with Asean Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn. He also said that the conflict 'stems from the enduring damage caused by Western colonisers' — an apparent reference to the border dispute's roots in an early 20th century treaty between the French colonial authorities in Cambodia and what was then the Kingdom of Siam.
Los Angeles Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Thailand and Cambodia reaffirm ceasefire after China-brokered meeting in Shanghai
BANGKOK — Thailand and Cambodia reaffirmed their shaky ceasefire on Wednesday after China helped mediate a peace process to end days of border fighting. The ceasefire reached in Malaysia was supposed to take effect at midnight on Monday, but was quickly tested. Thailand's army accused Cambodia of launching attacks in multiple areas early Tuesday, while Cambodia said there was no firing in any location. The Thai army then reported exchanges of gunfire into Wednesday morning but said there was no use of heavy artillery. 'Such act of aggression constitutes once again a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement by Cambodian forces and their apparent lack of good faith,' said Thailand's Foreign Ministry in a statement Wednesday morning. A Thai military statement issued late Wednesday listed seven alleged hostile actions and truce violations by Cambodia. The statement condemned 'these reckless and irresponsible actions by Cambodian forces and reaffirms Thailand's adherence to peace, restraint, and humanitarian principles.' 'Should violations persist, Thailand will take appropriate and decisive measures,' it cautioned. Earlier, both sides had appeared to reaffirm their commitment to a ceasefire, with representatives appearing smiling in a photo with a Chinese vice minister Sun Weidong at a meeting in Shanghai. The meeting involved Kung Phaok, a senior official at Cambodia's Foreign Affairs Ministry, and Jullapong Nonsrichai, executive advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand. 'Cambodia and Thailand reiterated to China their commitment to the ceasefire consensus and expressed appreciation for China's positive role in de-escalating the situation,' a statement from China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. China said the informal meeting was its 'latest diplomatic effort' and it was playing a 'constructive role in resolving their border dispute,' according to the same statement. China's peacemaking efforts reflects its 'serious concerns' about another conflict so close to its borders, said Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a professor of international relations at Thailand's Chulalongkorn University, citing the ongoing Myanmar civil war. 'The Chinese and U.S. interests align on this, which is very rare,' he said. 'China does not want more instability in its backyard. And Trump wants to have another peacemaking win.' Others say that China's move to publicize its diplomacy was a response to the U.S. approach. 'Trump's approach of linking tariff deals to sensitivity sovereignty issues has undeniably been effective, but I doubt this will be good for the U.S in the long run,' said Tita Sanglee, an associate fellow at the ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore. 'China is likely to seize on this contrast to present itself as the more understanding and respectful mediator.' Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand's acting prime minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, agreed on Monday to an 'unconditional' halt in fighting, which has killed at least 41 people. The meeting was hosted by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim as annual chair of the Assn. of Southeast Asian Nations. He called the ceasefire a 'vital first step towards de-escalation and the restoration of peace and security.' The ceasefire was brokered with U.S. pressure, as Trump said he would not move forward with trade agreements if the conflict continued. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington welcomed the ceasefire declaration. 'President Trump and I are committed to an immediate cessation of violence and expect the governments of Cambodia and Thailand to fully honor their commitments to end this conflict,' Rubio said in a statement. But the Thai army said there was an attack Tuesday night in Phu Makhuea, a mountain in a disputed area next to Thaikand's Sisaket province. The Thai government separately said it has complained to Malaysia, the U.S. and China about Cambodia's alleged breach of the ceasefire agreement previously. Cambodia and Thailand have clashed in the past over their 500-mile border. The fighting began Thursday after a land mine explosion along the border wounded five Thai soldiers. Tensions had been growing since May when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a confrontation that created a diplomatic rift and roiled Thailand's domestic politics. By Wednesday, there were some signs of calm along the border, with some of the more than 260,000 people displaced by the fighting returning to their homes. Still, many remain behind in evacuation shelters, uncertain of their fate. Vendor Kanchana Sukjit, 33, said she fled home near the Ta Muen Thom temple with a few belongings and her small white dog, Nam Khaeng, which means 'ice' in Thai. The temple had been one of the main flashpoints in the conflict over the past week. It was the first time she had to flee home like this and she was worried as she waited for clearer instructions about what happens next. 'I'm stressed when I read the news, like when reports said they were going to fire [a long-range rocket], because my home is right next to a military camp. I was quite stressed that day because I was afraid that my home would get caught in a crossfire,' she said. Wu and Saksornchai write for the Associated Press. Saksornchai reported from Surin, Thailand. The AP's Sopheng Cheang in Samrong, Cambodia, and Chalida Ekvitthayavechnukul in Bangkok contributed to this report.
Glasgow Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Thailand and Cambodia reaffirm ceasefire after China-brokered meeting
The ceasefire reached in Malaysia was supposed to take effect at midnight on Monday, but was quickly tested. Thailand's army accused Cambodia of launching attacks in multiple areas early on Tuesday, but Cambodia said there was no firing in any location. The Thai army then reported exchanges of gunfire into Wednesday morning, but said there was no use of heavy artillery. Thai residents fled their homes following the clashes between Thai and Cambodian soldiers (AP) Thailand's foreign ministry said on Wednesday morning: 'Such act of aggression constitutes once again a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement by Cambodian forces and their apparent lack of good faith.' By Wednesday afternoon, however, both sides appeared to have reaffirmed their commitment to a ceasefire, with representatives appearing smiling in a photo with a Chinese vice minister Sun Weidong at a meeting in Shanghai. In attendance from Cambodia was foreign secretary Kung Phaok, and in attendance from Thailand was Jullapong Nonsrichai, executive adviser to the minister of foreign affairs of Thailand. 'Cambodia and Thailand reiterated to China their commitment to the ceasefire consensus and expressed appreciation for China's positive role in de-escalating the situation,' a statement from China's foreign ministry said. China said the informal meeting was its 'latest diplomatic effort' and it was playing a 'constructive role in resolving their border dispute', according to the same statement.
Euronews
a day ago
- Business
- Euronews
Thailand and Cambodia reaffirm ceasefire after days of deadly clashes
Thailand and Cambodia reaffirmed their fragile ceasefire on Wednesday after days of deadly clashes along their shared border and despite accusations of the truce being violated. The two neighbours agreed at a meeting in Malaysia on Monday to an "immediate and unconditional" ceasefire to stop nearly a week of fighting that killed at least 41 people, many of them civilians, and displaced more than 300,000 from their homes. Yet the truce was soon tested when Thailand's military accused Cambodia of launching attacks in multiple areas on Tuesday, claims the Cambodian government denied. The Thai army reported exchanges of gunfire into Wednesday morning, with Thailand's foreign ministry accusing Cambodia of violating the ceasefire agreement "once again." Later on Wednesday, however, both sides appeared to have reasserted their commitment to a ceasefire, with Thai and Cambodian representatives appearing smiling at a meeting in Shanghai with Chinese vice minister Sun Weidong. "Cambodia and Thailand reiterated to China their commitment to the ceasefire consensus," a statement from the Chinese foreign ministry said. By Wednesday afternoon, there were signs of calm along the border, with some of the more than 260,000 people displaced by the fighting returning to their homes. Still, many remain in evacuation shelters, uncertain of their fate. Trump's tariff diplomacy The ceasefire agreed upon in Malaysia paves the way for a joint border committee meeting in Cambodia on 4 August. The high-level meeting will include the two countries' defence ministers. The truce comes days before the US is set to announce new trade tariff decisions. Cambodia and Thailand are likely to be two of the hardest-hit countries by US President Donald Trump's tariff policies, with a 36% levy on goods from both nations due to take effect on Friday. Trump had warned that the US might not proceed with trade deals with either country if hostilities continued, giving both sides a face-saving justification for stopping the clashes. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said on Tuesday that Trump had called to offer congratulations for the peace agreement and pledged that US would join the monitoring process along with Malaysia. Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said that Trump had also called him and that the US president told him Bangkok's talks with Washington over tariffs on Thai exports could proceed on as favourable terms as possible. History of hostility Thailand and Cambodia have a history of enmity over centuries and experience periodic tensions along their land border of more than 800 kilometres. Yet the latest clashes were some of the worst modern fighting between the two nations. Tensions had been growing since May when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a confrontation that created a diplomatic rift and shook up Thailand's domestic politics. Last Thursday, a land mine explosion in one of the contested border areas injured five Thai soldiers, including one who lost a leg. It was the second such incident in a week and the cause of the latest fighting. The immediate blowback was diplomatic, with Thailand withdrawing its ambassador from Cambodia, expelling the Cambodian envoy and shutting border crossings. Skirmishes and artillery duels broke out in several areas, with infantry fighting mostly in disputed areas. Both countries employed artillery and Cambodia made frequent use of truck-mounted rockets. Thailand retaliated with airstrikes carried out by jet fighters.
The Independent
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Thailand and Cambodia reaffirm ceasefire after China-brokered meeting in Shanghai
Thailand and Cambodia reaffirmed their shaky ceasefire after days of fighting along their border as China stepped in to negotiate with the two countries. The ceasefire reached in Malaysia was supposed to take effect at midnight on Monday, but was quickly tested. Thailand's army accused Cambodia of launching attacks in multiple areas early Tuesday, while Cambodia said there was no firing in any location. The Thai army then reported exchanges of gunfire into Wednesday morning but said there was no use of heavy artillery. 'Such act of aggression constitutes once again a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement by Cambodian forces and their apparent lack of good faith,' said Thailand's Foreign Ministry in a statement Wednesday morning. By Wednesday afternoon, however, both sides appeared to have reaffirmed their commitment to a ceasefire, with representatives appearing smiling in a photo with a Chinese vice minister Sun Weidong at a meeting in Shanghai. China's 'constructive role' The meeting involved Kung Phaok, a senior official at Cambodia's Foreign Affairs Ministry, and Jullapong Nonsrichai, executive advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand. 'Cambodia and Thailand reiterated to China their commitment to the ceasefire consensus and expressed appreciation for China's positive role in de-escalating the situation,' a statement from China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. China said the informal meeting was its 'latest diplomatic effort' and it was playing a 'constructive role in resolving their border dispute," according to the same statement. China's peacemaking efforts reflects its 'serious concerns' about another conflict so close to its borders, said Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a professor of international relations at Thailand's Chulalongkorn University, citing the ongoing Myanmar civil war. 'The Chinese and U.S. interests align on this, which is very rare,' he said. 'China does not want more instability in its backyard. And Trump wants to have another peacemaking win.' Others say that China's move to publicize its diplomacy was a response to the U.S. approach. 'Trump's approach of linking tariff deals to sensitivity sovereignty issues has undeniably been effective, but I doubt this will be good for the U.S in the long run,' said Tita Sanglee, an associate fellow at the ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore. 'China is likely to seize on this contrast to present itself as the more understanding and respectful mediator.' Alleged breach of ceasefire Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand's acting prime minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, agreed on Monday to an 'unconditional' halt in fighting, which has killed at least 41 people. The meeting was hosted by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim as annual chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. He called the ceasefire a 'vital first step towards de-escalation and the restoration of peace and security.' The ceasefire was brokered with U.S. pressure, as Trump said he would not move forward with trade agreements if the conflict continued. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington welcomed the ceasefire declaration. 'President (Donald) Trump and I are committed to an immediate cessation of violence and expect the governments of Cambodia and Thailand to fully honor their commitments to end this conflict,' Rubio said in a statement. But the Thai army said there was an attack Tuesday night in Phu Makhuea, a mountain in a disputed area next to Thaikand's Sisaket province. The Thai government separately said it has complained to Malaysia, the U.S. and China about Cambodia's alleged breach of the ceasefire agreement previously. Cambodia and Thailand have clashed in the past over their 800-kilometer (500-mile) border. The fighting began Thursday after a land mine explosion along the border wounded five Thai soldiers. Tensions had been growing since May when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a confrontation that created a diplomatic rift and roiled Thailand's domestic politics. Residents face limbo By Wednesday, there were some signs of calm along the border, with some of the more than 260,000 people displaced by the fighting returning to their homes. Still, many remain behind in evacuation shelters, uncertain of their fate. Vendor Kanchana Sukjit, 33, said she fled home near the Ta Muen Thom temple with a few belongings and her small white-colored dog Nam Khaeng, which means ice in Thai. The temple had been one of the main flashpoints in the conflict over the past week. It was the first time she had to flee home like this and she was worried as she waited for clearer instructions about what happens next. 'I'm stressed when I read the news, like when reports said they were going to fire (a long-range rocket), because my home is right next to a military camp. I was quite stressed that day because I was afraid that my home would get caught in a crossfire,' she said. ___
