• Southeast Asian neighbors have border dispute along Cambodia’s Preah Vihear province and northeastern province of Ubon Ratchathani in Thailand

ISTANBUL

Regional nations are making increased calls on Thailand and Cambodia to end the deadly border clashes and resort to peace and dialogue.

After China said it was “mediating” between the two Southeast Asian nations, Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi Friday urged both Cambodia and Thailand to “exercise maximum restraint,” expressing hope that the tensions “will be eased peacefully through dialogue.”

Takeshi made the comments during a phone call with Cambodian counterpart Prak Sokhonn, according to a Japanese Foreign Ministry statement.

At least 16 people, including 15 Thais and a Cambodian, have been killed since the two sides launched cross-border attacks, including airstrikes and rocket fire, on Thursday. The intermittent clashes continued for a second day.

Dozens have been injured, while thousands of people have been displaced on the two sides of the border.

According to the Japanese Foreign Ministry, Prak expressed 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), on Thursday spoke to his Thai and Cambodian counterparts, Phumtham Wechayachai and Hun Manet, respectively, and later said both parties showed a willingness to de-escalate.


Situation needs 'calm, careful handling,' says China's top diplomat

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday called the conflict "deeply distressing and concerning," saying it would need "calm and careful handling."

Wang made the comments during a meeting with ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn in Beijing, according to a Chinese Foreign Ministry statement.

"The root of this issue lies in the legacy left by Western colonial powers," said Wang, lauding the role and “active mediation efforts" by Anwar, the current chairman of ASEAN.

The Chinese foreign minister urged "dialogue and political resolution through the ASEAN way."

He added: "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."

China’s top diplomat at the UN, Fu Cong, said Thursday that 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 initiating the conflict and launching aggression along the disputed border, causing the latest military escalation.

South Korea and the Philippines also urged the two sides to end the conflict through peaceful means.

Soon after the armed conflict began on Thursday, Cambodia sought "urgent" intervention by the UN Security Council, which is set to meet Friday at 3 pm New York time (1900GMT).

Cambodia and Thailand have downgraded diplomatic ties to their lowest level in decades after tensions between the two countries began rising on May 28, when troops exchanged fire near the border, resulting in the death of a Cambodian soldier.

The two Southeast Asian neighbors have a disputed border lying across Cambodia’s Preah Vihear province and the northeastern province of Ubon Ratchathani in Thailand.