Cambodia Welcomes China’s Key Role in De-escalating Cambodia-Thailand Border Tensions

Phnom penh: The Tea Chat among the Foreign Ministers of China, Cambodia, and Thailand on Aug. 14 in Anning, Yunnan Province, was held in a spirit of openness, candor, and mutual respect, providing a constructive platform to address the evolving border situation between Cambodia and Thailand, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFAIC) said at a press briefing here this morning. According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, Cambodia expressed appreciation for China's indispensable role in facilitating dialogue and promoting de-escalation. The country acknowledged China's support for the ceasefire agreed upon by Cambodia and Thailand, along with its broader commitment to restoring normal relations between the two neighbors through peaceful means, as emphasized by H.E. Chum Sounry, Secretary of State and Spokesperson of the MFAIC. H.E. Chum Sounry also reaffirmed Cambodia's commitment to uphold the ceasefire agreed upon by both sides at the Special Meeting on July 28, 2025 , and further consolidated at the Extraordinary General Border Committee Meeting on Aug. 7, 2025. He stressed Cambodia's adherence to the peaceful settlement of disputes per international law, the principles of the United Nations Charter, and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia. Moreover, Cambodia highlighted the urgent need to adopt the Terms of Reference for establishing the ASEAN Observer Team to enable operationalization at the earliest opportunity. This mechanism is deemed essential to ensure the full and effective implementation of the ceasefire, in line with decisions reached at the Special Meeting on July 28, 2025, and further consolidated at the Extraordinary General Border Committee Meeting on Aug. 7, 2025. Cambodia extended gratitude to China for its willingness to support post-conflict reconstruction efforts, reflecting a shared commitment to long-term peacebuilding and the recovery of communities affected by the recent armed conflict. Additionally, Cambodia appreciates China 's continued contribution to humanitarian demining efforts. However, it emphasizes that demining activities should primarily focus on priority areas, jointly defined and determined by the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) Cambodia-Thailand, as a step toward enhancing safety, stability, and sustainable development. The spokesperson reiterated Cambodia's commitment to work closely with all partners-bilaterally, trilaterally, and through regional frameworks-to preserve peace, build mutual trust, and ensure lasting stability across the region.