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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday held separate phone calls with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn and Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow. Both the Cambodian and Thai sides briefed Wang on the latest developments regarding the Cambodia-Thailand border clashes and expressed their willingness to de-escalate tensions and implement a ceasefire.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee said that, as a friend and close neighbor of both Cambodia and Thailand, China least wants to see the two sides resort to armed confrontation and is deeply saddened by the civilian casualties caused by the conflict, the Xinhua News Agency reported. 

He noted that the intensity of this round of clashes far exceeds previous incidents, and that allowing it to continue would benefit neither side while also undermining ASEAN unity. The top priority, Wang stressed, is to make a prompt decision to cease fire, stem losses in a timely manner, and rebuild mutual trust.

Wang said that China has consistently upheld an approach of encouraging peace talks and acting with fairness and impartiality on the Cambodia-Thailand border issue, and supports ASEAN's mediation efforts.

A special envoy for Asian affairs from China's Foreign Ministry has already set off for Cambodia and Thailand to conduct shuttle diplomacy, Wang said, noting that China will continue to play a bridging role and make constructive efforts to promote the rebuilding of peace between the two countries. 

Wang also expressed hope that both sides will take effective measures to ensure the safety of Chinese projects and personnel, and remain vigilant against the spread of false information aimed at smearing China's friendly relations with the two countries.

Prak Sokhonn and Sihasak highly appreciated China's objective and impartial stance and its role in facilitating dialogue and promoting talks. They welcomed the shuttle mediation by China's special envoy and expressed hope that China will play an even more important role in de-escalating the situation and rebuilding peace, according to Xinhua. 

Global Times