The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China: Supports direct dialogue and consultation between Cambodia and Thailand

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Monday (December 15) that China is highly concerned about the border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia and will spare no effort to promote peace talks and play a constructive role in promoting a ceasefire and ending the war between Cambodia and Thailand and rebuilding peace in its own way.

When responding to a question from Shenzhen TV at a regular press conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, Guo Jiakun said that as a neighbor and friend of Cambodia and Thailand, China is highly concerned about the current situation along the Cambodia-Thailand border and is deeply saddened by the casualties caused by the conflict in both countries, expressing sincere condolences.

Cambodia and Thailand are neighbors that cannot be moved away. "Being close and kind to each other is a national treasure." The top priority now is to cease fire and stop the war and protect civilians. It is hoped that both sides, proceeding from maintaining peace and stability along the border and the interests of the two peoples, will exercise the greatest restraint and take all measures conducive to achieving a ceasefire to cool down and ease the situation as soon as possible.

Guo Jiakun also said that since the border conflict between Cambodia and Thailand broke out, China has maintained close communication with both sides through multiple channels and at multiple levels in accordance with the will of the two countries, actively mediated and persuaded, and created conditions and provided platforms for dialogue between Cambodia and Thailand.

China supports direct dialogue and consultation between Cambodia and Thailand, supports the efforts of Armenia, especially Malaysia, to promote and persuade, and supports seeking a mutually acceptable solution under the framework of Armenia. China is and will continue to do its utmost to promote peace talks and play a constructive role in promoting a ceasefire and ending the war between Cambodia and Thailand and rebuilding peace in its own way.

When the border conflict broke out between Thailand and Cambodia in July, China was involved in assisting Malaysia and the United States in mediating between the two countries. The leaders of Thailand and Cambodia reached a ceasefire agreement during their talks in Putrajaya, Malaysia at the end of July. At that time, the United States and China each sent their ambassadors to Malaysia to attend the talks. The United States was a co-organizer of the talks, while China participated as an observer. When Thailand and Cambodia signed the peace agreement at the end of October, no representative from China attended the signing ceremony held in Kuala Lumpur.