‘Tea meeting’ diplomacy: China hosts Thai–Cambodian FMs for peace talks

China hosted the Thai and Cambodian foreign ministers for “friendly and candid” talks on Thursday, with both sides pledging to work towards a peaceful solution to a simmering border dispute.

The informal “tea meeting” took place on the sidelines of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in the southwestern city of Anning, Yunnan province, according to the South China Morning Post.

Photo by AFP

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Thai counterpart, Maris Sangiampongsa, and Cambodian counterpart, Prak Sokhonn, that Anning means peace and harmony in Chinese, and this should be the guiding principle for relations between neighbours.

"As an old Chinese saying goes, 'brothers may quarrel within the family but unite against outside threats'… I believe the two sides can properly manage specific disputes and work hand in hand to tackle various global challenges," Wang said.

China supported Cambodia and Thailand in engaging in dialogue, dispelling misunderstandings, rebuilding mutual trust, and restoring normal exchanges and cooperation, Wang said.

“Both Cambodia and Thailand have shown they don’t want continued border conflicts and are willing to restore dialogue,” Wang said.

“China supports both sides in reopening border crossings to meet people’s needs.”

Thailand and Cambodia have long-standing border disputes, and relations deteriorated after they exchanged gunfire in a disputed northeastern border of Thailand in late May.

Clashes erupted again in late July after a landmine explosion wounded five Thai soldiers, one of whom lost his leg.

The two countries signed a ceasefire deal last month in Kuala Lumpur after US President Donald Trump threatened not to make a trade deal with them until the fighting stopped.

Wang also held separate meetings with his two counterparts. He told Maris that China supported ASEAN in resolving its internal issues in the ASEAN way.

In a separate meeting with Prak Sokhonn, Wang said China hoped the two sides “will strengthen contact and exchanges to restore friendship and mutual trust.”

China believed that the two sides could properly resolve their differences through dialogue and consultation, he added.

The Cambodian and Thai foreign ministers reaffirmed their willingness to actively implement the ceasefire agreement and manage and resolve disputes peacefully, according to the Chinese foreign ministry.

In an X account post, Maris said Thailand appreciated China’s constructive role in supporting a peaceful resolution.

Maris said he also stressed the urgent need for Thailand and Cambodia to work together to demine the border zone “as an important step for reducing tension and restoring normalcy to the border areas.”