Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

China has urged Cambodia and Thailand to resolve their border dispute through dialogue, offering to mediate with an "objective and fair" stance, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

 

Foreign Minister Wang Yi made this appeal during discussions on Thursday with Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa, on the sidelines of an ASEAN summit in Malaysia. Wang emphasised the importance of peaceful coexistence between the two Southeast Asian neighbours.

 

The tensions have escalated since May 28, following a fatal incident where a Cambodian soldier was killed during a brief exchange of gunfire in a contested area along their 820-kilometre border. The severity of the situation led Cambodia to seek intervention from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) last month for a resolution to the dispute.

 

Wang Yi, reaffirming China's neutral position, also engaged in talks with Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn. During this meeting, he stressed the need for robust security measures to protect both Chinese and Cambodian nationals. Particular attention was given to combating cross-border crimes, such as online gambling, wire fraud, counterfeiting, and smuggling. Wang described these activities as a "tumour" that needed to be eradicated.

 

Further commenting on the global economic landscape, Wang alluded to the tariffs imposed by the United States. He expressed confidence that Southeast Asian countries have the resilience to navigate these complex challenges while safeguarding both regional and national interests.

 

China's involvement underscores its strategic interest in maintaining stability in Southeast Asia, an area where it holds significant economic and political influence. The offer to mediate signals a desire to play a key role in regional diplomacy, potentially easing tensions and fostering cooperation.

 

Amid the backdrop of this dispute, the meeting at ASEAN serves as a focal point for dialogue, with China's presence suggesting a possible path forward in diffusing the tensions peacefully. Stakeholders and observers alike will be watching closely to see if these diplomatic efforts bear fruit.

 

The resolution of the Cambodia-Thailand border issue remains critical, not just for bilateral relations, but also for the broader stability and economic prosperity of the ASEAN region.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-07-11

 

 

There is a good chance this dialog ends up making everybody angry.