3 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

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

 

I was commenting on your assumption that I was a "Trump hater", actually.

 

But yes, it's part of the alternative history.

Who would have thought that Hun Sen and Thaksin would have colluded so transparently, just so they could get both their nations a fast-tracked, favourable US tariff deal?

4 hours ago, NanLaew said:

 

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.

China wants to project as boss and demonstrate control in the SE Asia theater therefore playing mediator is classic soft power as opposed to outright supporting governments like their own on the world stage. Subtle difference. 

 

Your disdain for Trump is so transparent that it clouds your better judgment.  So instead of giving him his rightful due for accomplishing the meeting in Kuala Lumpur, you dismissed facts. Subtle difference. 

5 minutes ago, BayArea said:

China wants to project as boss and demonstrate control in the SE Asia theater therefore playing mediator is classic soft power as opposed to outright supporting governments like their own on the world stage. Subtle difference. 

 

Your disdain for Trump is so transparent that it clouds your better judgment.  So instead of giving him his rightful due for accomplishing the meeting in Kuala Lumpur, you dismissed facts. Subtle difference. 

 

All good and insightful opinion, right up until you dismissed someone you don't even know of having 'disdain for Trump' and having poor judgment. 

 

Such a pity as you were doing so well too, but maybe those darned 'alternative facts' clouded your better judgment?

19 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

CCP is Hun Sens new best friend.

China probably doesn't want it's infrastructure, Casinos, factories and deep sea port bombed.

China has done next to nothing to help resolve this and the Cambodians know it. 

22 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 was thinking, the North Sea here in Britain is where England used to be joined to the continent. The Dogger Bank is shallow. Britain could pump dredged sand and create the island of Doggerland. We could build and air strip on Doggerland then claim sovereignty over the whole of the North Sea. We could then harass and bully Chinese ships sailing in UK waters. We could find some ancient map with a 9 dash line on it confirming that the North Sea was British. 

2 hours ago, hotchilli said:

CCP is Hun Sens new best friend.

China probably doesn't want it's infrastructure, Casinos, factories and deep sea port bombed.

Don't forget the scam centres.

On 7/31/2025 at 12:04 PM, 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

When they give back Tibet, stop border disputes with India and stop bullying the South China Sea nations then they cam mediate.

On 7/31/2025 at 5:15 PM, snoop1130 said:

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

 

 

So trump didn't achieve the ceasefire / agreement at all!

59 minutes ago, scorecard said:

China’s mediation highlights the complex interplay of regional politics where historical grievances persist.

Right just how they oh so tactfully deal with Taiwan.

On 7/31/2025 at 8:31 AM, dinsdale said:

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. 

 

You think Xi is still calling the shots?  

9 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

 

You think Xi is still calling the shots?  

The billionaire backers to the CCP are the ones calling the shots. 

Wonder if Trump will turn up in Oslo to watch Ping Pong pick his prize up.