Rebuild trust, reopen borders: China tells Cambodia, Thailand

ISTANBUL

China on Thursday urged Cambodia and Thailand to rebuild trust and reopen their borders amid ongoing tensions between the two nations over their disputed border.

Beijing “supports Thailand and Cambodia in strengthening dialogue and consultation to rebuild trust and restore friendship,” and resuming normal exchanges and cooperation, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said.

Wang made the comments during his joint meeting with Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn and Thailand’s top diplomat Maris Sangiampongsa, according to a statement released by Beijing.

The meeting came as the Chinese top diplomat is hosting counterparts from Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand for their 10th Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in the southern Chinese province of Yunnan.

It followed the escalation of border tensions between Cambodia and Thailand into armed clashes last month, resulting in dozens of casualties. The two Southeast Asian nations later agreed to a ceasefire, which remains in place.

Wang noted that China backs ASEAN, a bloc of Southeast Asian nations, in resolving its internal problems in "the ASEAN way," adding that Beijing supports the consolidation of the ceasefire on the ground.

“China supports both sides in responding to the demands of their people and reopening border crossings as soon as possible,” he added, noting that Cambodia and Thailand are “eternal neighbors and brothers.”

Bangkok and Phnom Penh have a border dispute along Cambodia’s Preah Vihear province and Thailand's northeastern province of Ubon Ratchathani, with renewed tensions since May 28, when a Cambodian soldier was killed. Dozens of people, including civilians, were killed in clashes between the two forces last month.