China bids to cement Cambodian-Thai truce

China started hosting meetings with delegations from Cambodia and Thailand on Sunday in a bid to consolidate the newly reached ceasefire deal and rebuild political trust between the two Southeast Asian nations.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi met separately with Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn and Thai Minister of Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeow in Yuxi, Yunnan province, on Sunday. Representatives of the militaries of the three countries also took part.

China has been working to promote peace talks to de-escalate the tense situation, and sent the Foreign Ministry's Special Envoy for Asian Affairs Deng Xijun to visit both Cambodia and Thailand in six days of shuttle diplomacy that concluded on Tuesday.

Beijing's hosting of the meetings, which follow the signing of a joint statement in which Phnom Penh and Bangkok agreed to an immediate ceasefire on Saturday, marks its latest effort to cement its role as an international mediator and secure a lasting peace in the deadly border clash between the two neighbors.

While meeting with Sokhonn, Wang said that China has been closely following the tense situation on the Cambodia-Thailand border and remains committed to facilitating peace talks.

Emphasizing that the ceasefire marks the beginning of peace building, he urged both sides to proceed in a phased and measured manner to promote a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire, restore normal interactions, rebuild mutual trust and achieve a turnaround in their relations, thereby upholding regional peace and stability.

"I look forward to us jointly sending a message of peace from Yunnan, reaching a consensus on peace and presenting a bright prospect for peace," Wang said.

He said that China supports the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in playing its due role, and is willing to assist the ASEAN observer mission in monitoring the ceasefire, and provide humanitarian aid to Cambodia for the settlement of displaced people in border areas.

The first shipment of emergency humanitarian aid from the Chinese government to Cambodia, including tents, blankets and food, arrived in Phnom Penh on Sunday, according to a report from China Media Group.

Wang also expressed his hope that Cambodia will continue to enhance protection of Chinese nationals and projects in the country.

Sokhonn expressed high appreciation for China's positive role in mediating the conflict, saying that it was through the joint efforts of China and other parties that Cambodia and Thailand signed the ceasefire agreement.

Cambodia looks forward to the dawn of peace arriving soon and hopes that the meetings of the three countries will contribute to rebuilding lasting peace, he said.

During his meeting with Sihasak, Wang said that as a friendly neighbor, China is most reluctant to see Thailand and Cambodia engage in conflict and most hopeful to see the two countries reconcile.

Noting that rebuilding peace is the desire of the people and the expectation of all parties, he said that China's efforts to mediate the conflict and promote dialogue are never imposed on others, but aim to provide a platform for dialogue.

As long as Thailand and Cambodia communicate on an equal footing and move forward together, there is no obstacle they cannot overcome, Wang said, adding that China will continue to make efforts to help Thailand and Cambodia rebuild peace.

Sihasak said that Thailand highly appreciates China's mediation efforts, and that his country is committed to realizing a sustained ceasefire and seeking true peace.

caodesheng@chinadaily.com.cn