China said on Friday it is mediating between Thailand and Cambodia as deadly border clashes entered a second day, while Japan urged both sides to “exercise maximum restraint” and resolve the dispute through dialogue.
At least 16 people – 15 Thais and a Cambodian – have been killed since Thursday when cross-border airstrikes and rocket fire erupted along Cambodia’s Preah Vihear province and Thailand’s northeastern Ubon Ratchathani province. Dozens have been injured, and thousands displaced, as intermittent clashes continued.
Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi, in a phone call with Cambodian counterpart Prak Sokhonn, expressed hope that tensions “will be eased peacefully through dialogue,” according to a Japanese Foreign Ministry statement.
Prak conveyed Cambodia’s “desire for a swift return to normalcy.”
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is the current chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), said after speaking to Thai and Cambodian leaders Phumtham Wechayachai and Hun Manet that both sides showed willingness to de-escalate.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called the conflict “deeply distressing and concerning,” urging “calm and careful handling.”
Speaking in Beijing after meeting Association of Southeast Asian Nations Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn, Wang said: “The root of this issue lies in the legacy left by Western colonial powers.”
“As a mutual neighbor and friend to both Cambodia and Thailand, China is committed to maintaining an objective and impartial stance, and stands ready to play a constructive role in helping de-escalate tensions and restore stability,” Wang said.
He praised Anwar’s “active mediation efforts” and urged “dialogue and political resolution through the ASEAN way.”
China’s top UN envoy, Fu Cong, said Beijing is “mediating between the two sides, and we do hope that the situation can stabilize as soon as possible.”
The two Southeast Asian neighbors have accused each other of launching aggression along the disputed border. Tensions have risen since 28 May, when troops exchanged fire, killing a Cambodian soldier.
Cambodia has requested “urgent” intervention from the UN Security Council, which is set to meet Friday at 3 p.m. New York time (19:00 GMT).
South Korea and the Philippines also urged both sides to resolve the dispute peacefully. Cambodia and Thailand have downgraded diplomatic ties to their lowest level in decades.
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More than 100,000 people are expected to take part in France’s “Block Everything” movement on 10 September, broadcaster France Info reported on Thursday. Energy, transport, and defence sectors are likely to be the most affected.
The death toll from Sunday’s powerful earthquake in eastern Afghanistan has risen above 2,200, with search and rescue operations ongoing. Local officials warn that many people remain trapped under rubble, and the number of fatalities is likely to climb further.
Colton Herta, nine-time IndyCar race winner, is set to compete in Formula Two next year while also taking on a test driver role for Cadillac.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced plans to propose updates to the certification process for new commercial aircraft, according to a notice released by the Trump administration on Thursday.
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Thailand’s royal authority has blocked a move by acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai to dissolve parliament and call snap elections, citing legal concerns over his authority to submit such a request, local media reported on Wednesday.
More than 100,000 people are expected to take part in France’s “Block Everything” movement on 10 September, broadcaster France Info reported on Thursday. Energy, transport, and defence sectors are likely to be the most affected.
The death toll from Sunday’s powerful earthquake in eastern Afghanistan has risen above 2,200, with search and rescue operations ongoing. Local officials warn that many people remain trapped under rubble, and the number of fatalities is likely to climb further.
Colton Herta, nine-time IndyCar race winner, is set to compete in Formula Two next year while also taking on a test driver role for Cadillac.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced plans to propose updates to the certification process for new commercial aircraft, according to a notice released by the Trump administration on Thursday.
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