China mediating as Japan urges restraint in deadly Thailand-Cambodia clashes

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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