Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

In a bid to diffuse recent hostilities along the Thai-Cambodian border, China hosted a critical dialogue in Shanghai involving representatives from both countries. Spearheaded by Sun Weidong, China's vice-minister for foreign affairs, the discussions aimed to reinforce a fragile ceasefire agreement, coming on the heels of deadly clashes that left at least 41 dead and displaced hundreds of thousands.

 

Wednesday’s meeting, labelled as an “informal consultation” by Beijing due to the sensitive ground realities, saw both parties recommit to the ceasefire. However, accusations continued to fly, with Thailand alleging a “flagrant” ceasefire breach by Cambodia, claims dismissed by Phnom Penh as “misleading and fabricated”.

 

China’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Guo Jiakun, described the talks as "candid, friendly and conducive". He emphasised China's efforts to foster peace along the border: “We stand ready to maintain close communication with Cambodia, Thailand, and Malaysia, and other regional countries to restore stability,” Guo declared. He pointedly supported ASEAN's political mediation in the crisis.

 

Although the Chinese foreign ministry did not specify the Thai or Cambodian representatives at the table, images from the event showed Sun alongside Kung Phaok, a Cambodian minister, and Jullapong Nonsrichai, a Thai Foreign Ministry advisor.

 

The latest spate of violence ignited following a landmine incident that injured five Thai soldiers, exacerbating tensions already simmering for months. Dialogue hosted by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, with contributions from the United States and China, culminated in a ceasefire agreement between Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand’s Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai on Monday. Still, by Wednesday, accusations resurfaced, with the Thai military reporting attacks in Si Sa Ket province, just a day post-ceasefire.

 

Cambodia, meanwhile, rebuffed these allegations, asserting Bangkok’s misrepresentation of facts, which they believe threatens critical dialogue.

 

China’s commitment to peace was underscored further by engagements from Liu Jinsong, another senior Chinese official, who recently held discussions with Thai and Cambodian ambassadors, focusing on bilateral relations and mutual concerns. Additionally, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi termed the conflict an enduring scar from the colonial era, indirectly referencing an early 20th-century Franco-Siamese border treaty.

 

Beijing is positioning itself as a constructive force amidst this regional turbulence, preparing for further discussions with ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn, enhancing its diplomatic outreach.

 

China’s mediation highlights the complex interplay of regional politics where historical grievances persist. As tensions simmer, the international community hopes these mediated discussions can pave the way for a sustainable peace, preserving regional stability and enabling displaced families to return to their homes.

 

With regional powers striving to maintain calm and ASEAN playing an integral role, the emphasis remains on diplomatic engagement to navigate through historical grievances and recent hostilities, promoting a long-lasting resolution across these embittered borders. As the situation unfolds, the global community watches closely, keenly aware of the delicate balance between peace and conflict in Southeast Asia.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-07-31

 

 

Trump was snubbed. Should have stayed out of this mess. 

18 minutes ago, John Drake said:

Trump was snubbed. Should have stayed out of this mess. 

They try to have serious talk, not just the belligerent ramblings of a senile old man. 

1 minute ago, Peter Crow said:

They try to have serious talk, not just the belligerent ramblings of a senile old man. 

 

It's going to be quite the spectacle when Trump rewards Cambodia and Thailand with tariff "deals" for a ceasefire, while they're cutting him out of the negotiations in Shanghai. He's going to look like the biggest mug in the world. Only way out is pile those tariffs back on.

China should be the last country to be called for mediation, they are grabbing "rocks" in the SSC, took land/islands that belong to Philippines, Japan, they are harassing Borneo, Malaysia, Indonesia... China themselves need a mediator ... I am not deflecting nor trolling, just wondering why they asked the Chinese to be involved

54 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

Still, by Wednesday, accusations resurfaced, with the Thai military reporting attacks in Si Sa Ket province, just a day post-ceasefire.

Here in Surin my b/f has been at the family farm most of the day in Khok Salaeng, Phanom Dong Rak district 2 or 3 kms from the border. He took his aged mother back & 1 BIL to see if they could stay at the farm instead of camping on our living room floor here in Prasat.

 

And the answer 2 or 3 hours later was a resounding NO. The Cambodians are still shooting, and not just small arms fire. Occasional shells/rockets coming across all day.

8 minutes ago, Mavideol said:

China should be the last country to be called for mediation, they are grabbing "rocks" in the SSC, took land/islands that belong to Philippines, Japan, they are harassing Borneo, Malaysia, Indonesia... China themselves need a mediator ... I am not deflecting nor trolling, just wondering why they asked the Chinese to be involved

 

Because Thailand and Cambodia are Chinese satrapies.

Maybe China can work on a commitment to peace in Ukraine with their close partner Russia. 

This is actually the best scenario possible. Either Thailand or Cambodia is going to feel abused by China and get angry with them. Probably Thailand, because China is going to side with the country where it already has a naval base, Cambodia.

34 minutes ago, John Drake said:

 

It's going to be quite the spectacle when Trump rewards Cambodia and Thailand with tariff "deals" for a ceasefire, while they're cutting him out of the negotiations in Shanghai. He's going to look like the biggest mug in the world. Only way out is pile those tariffs back on.

 

Which means we should expect sanctions to be placed on all voting members of the Nobel committee when Xi is nominated for a peace prize.

24 minutes ago, mfd101 said:

Here in Surin my b/f has been at the family farm most of the day in Khok Salaeng, Phanom Dong Rak district 2 or 3 kms from the border. He took his aged mother back & 1 BIL to see if they could stay at the farm instead of camping on our living room floor here in Prasat.

 

And the answer 2 or 3 hours later was a resounding NO. The Cambodians are still shooting, and not just small arms fire. Occasional shells/rockets coming across all day.

Sorry to hear that it's still going on. My side of Phanom Dong Rak is pretty quiet. All the 155 and mortars have pulled out already. The only military vehicles I've seen are transport, small and medium size.

 

A few of the small stores have opened up again. Will check out the Bakdai village to see if the 7/11 and CJ mart are open. 

1 hour ago, John Drake said:

Trump was snubbed. Should have stayed out of this mess. 

Nope. It was Trump that brought the two parties together in KL. This is just Xi doing some face saving propaganda to show how important China is. China backs Cambodia primarily (obviously) but also has it's finger in the pie in Thailand. High speed rail and a collapsed tofu dreg office block comes to mind.

1 hour ago, Mavideol said:

China should be the last country to be called for mediation, they are grabbing "rocks" in the SSC, took land/islands that belong to Philippines, Japan, they are harassing Borneo, Malaysia, Indonesia... China themselves need a mediator ... I am not deflecting nor trolling, just wondering why they asked the Chinese to be involved

I agree but I think the case might be Xi summoned the two parties. 

2 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

1 hour ago, Mavideol said:

China should be the last country to be called for mediation, they are grabbing "rocks" in the SSC, took land/islands that belong to Philippines, Japan, they are harassing Borneo, Malaysia, Indonesia... China themselves need a mediator ... I am not deflecting nor trolling, just wondering why they asked the Chinese to be involved

I agree but I think the case might be Xi summoned the two parties. 

 

...and not Trump.

It's time for the Master to sort it.

Who wants to have troubles in front of your door?

 

3 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

 

...and not Trump.

Trump forced negotionations with trade threats. Xi missed the boat on this one probably because he's backing Cambodia. Lot's of CCP money in Cambodia. Now he's trying to look like the mediator. 

1 hour ago, ezflip said:

Will check out the Bakdai village to see if the 7/11 and CJ mart are open. 

Stores are closed. Will have to wait until tomorrow to go to Prasat. 

1 hour ago, dinsdale said:

1 hour ago, NanLaew said:

 

...and not Trump.

Trump forced negotionations with trade threats. Xi missed the boat on this one probably because he's backing Cambodia. Lot's of CCP money in Cambodia. Now he's trying to look like the mediator. 

 

...and Trump isn't.

Look who Thailand sent. That shows how much they are interested in Chinese "mediation".

3 hours ago, John Drake said:

This is actually the best scenario possible. Either Thailand or Cambodia is going to feel abused by China and get angry with them. Probably Thailand, because China is going to side with the country where it already has a naval base, Cambodia.

I should think China has far more money invested in Thailand than Cambodia.

6 hours ago, dinsdale said:

Nope. It was Trump that brought the two parties together in KL. This is just Xi doing some face saving propaganda to show how important China is. China backs Cambodia primarily (obviously) but also has it's finger in the pie in Thailand. High speed rail and a collapsed tofu dreg office block comes to mind.

its very difficult for the Trump bashers to give him any credit.  but everything you stated is correct. Trump threatened more tariffs on both countries if they don't cease hostility. 

Malaysia came out smelling like a rose and that has to irk the unstable Thai government who has its hands full with the Shinawatra clan, the border conflict, as well as the stagnant economy. 

China is desperate to show the world their "soft power"  in the region by pretending to be the broker of peace and stability, but actuality its just two of their puppets bowing down to them for optics. 

8 hours ago, Mavideol said:

China should be the last country to be called for mediation, they are grabbing "rocks" in the SSC, took land/islands that belong to Philippines, Japan, they are harassing Borneo, Malaysia, Indonesia... China themselves need a mediator ... I am not deflecting nor trolling, just wondering why they asked the Chinese to be involved

 

I don't know that they (or anyone) asked the Chinese to be involved but  (assuming the Chinese want  a peaceful resolution, and I cant see why they wouldn't) it is good that  China has stepped in.

 

This situation seems to need a powerful outside party's intervention and only China has the necessary clout and influence in the region to be able to intervene effectively. Its financial and military influence over both countries is substantial. 

3 hours ago, BayArea said:

its very difficult for the Trump bashers to give him any credit.  but everything you stated is correct. Trump threatened more tariffs on both countries if they don't cease hostility. 

Malaysia came out smelling like a rose and that has to irk the unstable Thai government who has its hands full with the Shinawatra clan, the border conflict, as well as the stagnant economy. 

China is desperate to show the world their "soft power"  in the region by pretending to be the broker of peace and stability, but actuality its just two of their puppets bowing down to them for optics. 

 

It's not difficult at all to give credit where credit is due. Subtle difference.

 

Trump didn't threaten the belligerents with "more" tariffs, he bullied them by saying there would be no more negotiating on the proposed 36% tariffs. For clarity, those hadn't been levied yet. Subtle difference.

 

According to the US Trade Secretary, opening his yap on Fox last Wednesday night, the belligerents have settled a trade deal with the US. Of course there's no confirmation from his office, nor from the belligerents. Subtle difference.

 

China isn't desperate for much of anything. They tacitly support Russia and North Korea and there's bugger all Trump can do about that. Subtle difference.

3 hours ago, Sheryl said:

 

I don't know that they (or anyone) asked the Chinese to be involved but  (assuming the Chinese want  a peaceful resolution, and I cant see why they wouldn't) it is good that  China has stepped in.

 

This situation seems to need a powerful outside party's intervention and only China has the necessary clout and influence in the region to be able to intervene effectively. Its financial and military influence over both countries is substantial. 

The US has clout in the region. The Philippines for example. It's also the case that Trump can use tariffs as a foreign policy tool. His threat to halt talks on tariff rates on Thailand and Cambodia is a clear example of this. As for the financial and military influence of China this is certainly the case but obviously much more the case with Cambodia.. 

42 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

Trump didn't threaten the belligerents with "more" tariffs, he bullied them by saying there would be no more negotiating on the proposed 36% tariffs. For clarity, those hadn't been levied yet. Subtle difference.

Trump used tariffs as a foreigh policy tool. It worked. It brought the two parties to the table before any involvement from China. 

10 hours ago, dinsdale said:

Nope. It was Trump that brought the two parties together in KL. This is just Xi doing some face saving propaganda to show how important China is. China backs Cambodia primarily (obviously) but also has it's finger in the pie in Thailand. High speed rail and a collapsed tofu dreg office block comes to mind.

Exactly. Thailand is good at walking between the raindrops.

11 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Trump used tariffs as a foreigh policy tool. It worked. It brought the two parties to the table before any involvement from China. 

 

If you say so. There's definitely a tool in their somewhere.

13 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

 

If you say so. There's definitely a tool in their somewhere.

Sadly you demonstrate the level of retort from a Trump hater.

2 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Sadly you demonstrate the level of retort from a Trump hater.

 

Sadly you demonstrate the level of retort from someone who assumes too much.

3 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

 

Sadly you demonstrate the level of retort from someone who assumes too much.

There is zero assumption saying Trump used tariffs to bring the two parties together. This is documented and is now part of history.