Chinese Minister of foreign Affairs Wang Yi brought Cambodian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn and their Thai counterpart Maris Sangiampongsa together for informal “tea diplomacy” talks aimed at easing tensions over the Cambodia–Thailand border conflict.
According to Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning, the meeting featured “friendly and open communication”, with the Cambodian and Thai ministers each expressing their sincere thanks to China for creating the opportunity for dialogue and praising Beijing’s constructive role in promoting peace.
“The three sides had a friendly and open communication on the Cambodia-Thailand border conflict,” said Ning.
The gathering was held on the sidelines of the two-day 10th Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, running from August 14-15, in southwest China’s Yunnan Province.
Ning said the two Southeast Asian nations reaffirmed their commitment to the ceasefire agreement, underscoring the importance of good-neighbourly relations and pledging to use dialogue mechanisms to manage and resolve disputes peacefully.
“China supports Cambodia and Thailand in engaging in dialogue, eliminating misunderstandings, rebuilding mutual trust and restoring normal exchanges and cooperation,” noted Chinese-state media outlet Xinhua.
Wang said China backs both sides in fully implementing the consensus reached at the extraordinary session of the General Border Committee (GBC) meeting between Cambodia and Thailand and called for the ceasefire to be consolidated without delay.
Chinese officials, along with their American counterparts, were present as observers at the July 28 bilateral talks that pushed Thailand and Cambodia to agree to the initial ceasefire.
China was also part of a meeting of the bilateral GBC meeting in Malaysia on August 7, at which both sides agreed to a number of measures to de-escalate tensions.
