China willing to create conditions for negotiations between Cambodia, Thailand, says special envoy
Most urgent priority is to establish ceasefire, resume dialogue to resolve border dispute through peaceful means, says Deng Xijun, Beijing's special envoy for Asian affairs
ISTANBUL
China on Tuesday expressed willingness to create conditions for negotiations between Cambodia and Thailand amid deadly border clashes that have killed dozens on both sides, while also backing the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) role in ceasefire efforts.
Visiting both Cambodia and Thailand since last Thursday, Deng Xijun, Beijing's special envoy for Asian affairs, conducted shuttle diplomacy on the border conflict between the two sides, according to a Foreign Ministry statement on Tuesday.
In Cambodia, Deng met with Prime Minister Hun Manet, Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, Defense Minister Tea Seiha, and Royal Cambodian Army Commander Mao Sophan.
In Thailand, he met with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Defense Minister Nattaphon Narkphanit, Royal Thai Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Ukrit Boontanon, and Eksiri Pintaruchi, the country’s permanent secretary for foreign affairs.
Beijing is "highly concerned about the current situation on the Cambodia-Thailand border, and is deeply saddened by the casualties and displacement caused by the conflict," said Deng.
"The most urgent priority is to achieve a ceasefire and resume dialogue to resolve the border dispute through peaceful ways," he added.
Beijing is willing to help "create conditions and provide a platform for dialogue and negotiations between the two sides," Deng said.
Deng also expressed hope that "Cambodia and Thailand would meet halfway, strive to restore mutual trust, and rebuild peace along the border.”
Both Phnom Penh and Bangkok expressed their commitment to peace, their hope for a sustainable ceasefire, and their willingness to maintain communication with China to de-escalate tensions, the ministry said.
South Korea on Tuesday also urged Cambodia and Thailand to resolve the border conflict peacefully through dialogue, commending ASEAN'S efforts, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.
Casualty figures reported by the two sides differ. Thai authorities said 21 Thai soldiers and one civilian have been killed in the fighting, adding that another 33 civilians died as what they described as “collateral effects of the situation.”
Cambodia’s Interior Ministry said 21 Cambodian civilians were killed and 83 others injured.
