China to host Cambodia-Thailand talks to cement border ceasefire

China’s top diplomat Wang Yi will host the foreign ministers of Cambodia and Thailand in Yunnan province on December 28 and December 29 to consolidate a newly signed ceasefire between the two Southeast Asian neighbours.

The trilateral meeting comes shortly after Phnom Penh and Bangkok agreed to an immediate ceasefire, halting about three weeks of fighting along their shared border. The clashes left at least 47 people dead and displaced over one million, according to the South China Morning Post. 

Wang invited Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn and Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow to the talks, which will also include representatives from the three countries’ militaries. Beijing emphasised its commitment to helping both sides engage in “fuller and more detailed communication” to secure lasting peace.

The ceasefire agreement and China-mediated discussions highlight Beijing’s growing role as an international mediator in regional conflicts, as it seeks to prevent further escalation along the Cambodia-Thailand border.

By Khagan Isayev