China on Sunday congratulated Cambodia on reaching a ceasefire with Thailand after weeks of deadly border fighting, as senior officials from the three countries prepared to open a two-day round of talks in southwestern China aimed at stabilising the fragile truce and preventing a return to violence.
Thailand and Cambodia agreed on Saturday to halt hostilities following weeks of fierce clashes along their disputed frontier that killed at least 101 people and displaced more than half a million civilians. The agreement marks the second ceasefire between the two neighbours in recent months, underscoring both the volatility of the border dispute and the difficulty of sustaining peace.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, meeting his Cambodian counterpart Prak Sokhonn ahead of the talks, described the ceasefire as “an important step towards restoring peace” and said it was “in line with the shared expectations of countries in the region,” according to China’s official Xinhua news agency. Wang urged both sides to seize the opportunity to de-escalate tensions and work toward long-term stability.
Prak Sokhonn and Thai Foreign Ministry official Sihasak Phuangketkeow are expected to meet Wang in Yunnan province on Sunday and Monday to discuss the border situation and mechanisms to maintain the ceasefire. According to a statement from Sihasak’s office, the talks aim to ensure the truce holds and to promote lasting peace between the two Southeast Asian neighbours.
Wang called on Cambodia and Thailand to “promote a complete and lasting ceasefire, resume normal exchanges and rebuild mutual trust.” He also encouraged diplomats and military officials from both countries to use the Yunnan meeting as a chance to “communicate in a flexible manner and enhance understanding,” signalling Beijing’s desire to play a more active role in preventing renewed conflict.
The ceasefire includes a 72-hour observation period, after which Thailand has agreed to repatriate 18 Cambodian soldiers it has held as prisoners since fighting earlier this year in July. Their release has been a key demand of Phnom Penh and is widely seen as a confidence-building measure critical to sustaining the truce.
China has increasingly positioned itself as a mediator in the crisis, alongside the United States and Malaysia. A previous ceasefire reached in July was brokered by Malaysia and reinforced by pressure from US President Donald Trump, who threatened to withhold trade privileges unless both Thailand and Cambodia agreed to stop fighting.
Despite that agreement, relations continued to deteriorate. Both sides engaged in a bitter propaganda war, and sporadic cross-border incidents persisted, eventually escalating into heavy fighting again in early December. The renewed violence raised alarm across the region and prompted calls for stronger international involvement.
Following his meeting with Wang, Prak Sokhonn expressed deep appreciation for China’s “vital role” in supporting the latest ceasefire, highlighting Beijing’s diplomatic engagement and its growing influence in regional security affairs.
China also announced 20 million yuan (about US$2.8 million) in emergency humanitarian assistance for Cambodia to help civilians displaced by the fighting. The first batch of Chinese aid, including food, tents and blankets, arrived in Cambodia on Sunday, Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wenbin wrote in a Facebook post.
Thai officials, while welcoming China’s involvement, also signalled caution. Sihasak said he hoped the meetings would convey to Beijing that it should support a sustainable ceasefire while also sending a clear message to Cambodia against reviving hostilities or attempting to provoke further conflict.
“Thailand does not see China merely as a mediator in our conflict with Cambodia,” Sihasak said, “but wants China to play a constructive role in ensuring a sustainable ceasefire by sending such signals to Cambodia as well.”
As talks open in Yunnan, regional observers will be watching closely to see whether diplomatic engagement, humanitarian support and international pressure can finally turn a fragile ceasefire into lasting peace along one of Southeast Asia’s most volatile borders.
