China offers to help resolve Thailand-Cambodia border dispute

China has called on Thailand and Cambodia to resolve their ongoing border dispute through peaceful dialogue and offered to act as a neutral mediator, the Chinese foreign ministry announced.

During a meeting on Thursday with Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa on the sidelines of an ASEAN summit in Malaysia, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged both nations to pursue harmonious coexistence.

"China is prepared to maintain an objective and fair stance and contribute constructively to peaceful relations between Thailand and Cambodia," Wang said, according to a ministry statement.

Tensions between the two countries have escalated since late May, following a fatal shooting incident in a contested border zone where a Cambodian soldier was killed. The dispute centres on areas along their 820-kilometre (510-mile) shared boundary.

In June, Cambodia requested that the International Court of Justice step in to resolve the matter.

Wang also met separately with Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn on the same day, reaffirming China’s neutrality in the border dispute. He also stressed the importance of improving security for both Chinese citizens and Cambodians, urging stronger efforts to eliminate cross-border criminal activities such as online gambling, fraud, counterfeiting, and smuggling.

Commenting on broader regional issues, Wang also referred to recent U.S. tariff measures and said China believes Southeast Asian nations are capable of navigating the current complex environment and protecting both their collective and national interests.

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