Cambodia and Thailand tell China’s Wang Yi they’re willing to cease fire
Thai and Cambodian foreign ministers brief Chinese counterpart on border conflict, while Beijing vows to ‘serve as a bridge’
Cambodia and Thailand have expressed willingness to de-escalate and cease fire following recent border clashes, according to China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, also the country’s deputy prime minister, and Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow made the comments in separate phone conversations with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday, according to the ministry.
The Thai and Cambodian foreign ministers briefed Wang about the latest developments in the border conflict.
Wang said that as “a friend and close neighbour to both countries”, China was distressed to see the severity of civilian casualties in the latest conflict, whose intensity had surpassed previous clashes.
“Continued escalation benefits neither side and undermines the solidarity of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean). The immediate priority is to make a decisive move, cease hostilities as soon as possible, prevent further losses and rebuild mutual trust,” Wang said.
Also on Thursday, Beijing sent a special envoy to Thailand and Cambodia for peace mediation efforts.