China offers to help resolve Cambodia-Thailand border dispute

China has urged Cambodia and Thailand to resolve their border dispute through friendly dialogue, offering to play a constructive role by upholding an “objective and fair” position.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged peaceful coexistence between the neighbours during a meeting yesterday with Thai counterpart Maris Sangiampongsa on the sidelines of the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the ministry said in a statement.

“China is willing to uphold an objective and fair position and play a constructive role for the harmonious coexistence between Thailand and Cambodia,” Wang said.

Tension has risen between the Southeast Asian neighbours since the end of May, after a Cambodian soldier was killed in a brief exchange of gunfire at a disputed area on their 820km border.

Last month, Cambodia asked the International Court of Justice to resolve the disputes.

Wang reiterated China’s impartiality on the border issue in a meeting with Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn the same day, the ministry said in a separate summary.

He emphasised security measures to protect Chinese and Cambodians, calling for tougher action to “completely eradicate the tumour” of cross-border crimes such as online gambling, wire fraud, counterfeiting and smuggling.

Referring to the United States’ tariffs, he added that China believes Southeast Asia had the ability to cope with the “complex situation” and safeguard common interests, as well as those of individual nations.