China Calls for Immediate Ceasefire as Cambodia–Thailand Border Fighting Intensifies, Displacement Soars

BEIJING: China has urged Cambodia and Thailand to exercise utmost restraint and take all possible steps toward an immediate ceasefire as renewed border clashes continue to escalate, resulting in rising civilian casualties and the displacement of hundreds of thousands.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Monday that Beijing is deeply concerned about the renewed conflict along the Cambodia–Thailand border, which reignited on Dec 7, less than two months after both countries signed a joint peace declaration.

“As a friendly neighbor and close partner of both Cambodia and Thailand, China is deeply saddened by the loss of lives caused by the conflict and extends its heartfelt sympathies to the affected civilians,” Guo told a daily press briefing.

He stressed that for Cambodia and Thailand, two neighboring countries with long-standing ties, the immediate priorities should be securing a ceasefire, ending hostilities, and ensuring the protection of civilians.

Guo said China has maintained close communication with both governments through multiple channels since the conflict erupted and has actively engaged in mediation efforts to create conditions and platforms for dialogue, based on the wishes of both parties.

China, he added, supports direct dialogue and consultation between Cambodia and Thailand, as well as efforts by ASEAN, particularly Malaysia, to facilitate peace talks and pursue a mutually acceptable solution within the ASEAN framework.

“China will continue to play a constructive role in promoting peace talks, facilitating a ceasefire, and helping bring an end to the conflict,” Guo said.

Meanwhile, the situation on the ground has continued to deteriorate. Cambodia’s Ministry of Defense accused Thai military forces of expanding their offensive deeper into Cambodian territory, including airstrikes in Siem Reap province in the country’s northwest.

In a statement released Monday, the ministry said a Thai F-16 fighter jet dropped two bombs near a displaced civilians’ camp in Siem Reap at about 10am local time. It added that Thai forces had also continued firing artillery shells at multiple locations inside Cambodian territory from midnight until Monday morning.

According to Cambodia’s Interior Ministry spokesperson Touch Sokhak, the conflict has left at least 12 Cambodian civilians dead and 74 others injured as of Sunday evening. He also revealed that the number of displaced persons has exceeded 403,000, including about 208,000 women and nearly 96,000 children.

Both Cambodia and Thailand have accused each other of initiating the latest round of hostilities, as the border conflict continues to fuel regional concern and international calls for de-escalation.