After the Arms Ceasefire, China Meets Cambodian-Thai Foreign Ministers

JAKARTA - Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi hosted a trilateral meeting between China, Cambodia and Thailand in Yuxi, Yunnan province on Monday, December 29 local time.

The meeting was attended by the Deputy Prime Minister of Cambodia, as well as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Prak Sokhonn, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, and senior military officials from the three countries.

"This trilateral meeting took place at the right time. The three parties have held several bilateral talks before, especially between the foreign ministries and the Cambodian and Thai military sides have also held discussions and all of them have shown a positive and open attitude," Wang Yi said in a written statement on the Chinese Foreign Ministry's website. accessed by ANTARA on Tuesday, December 30.

On Saturday, December 27, Cambodia and Thailand had reached a ceasefire, temporarily ending armed clashes on their border, which had left 99 people reported dead during the 20 days of clashes since the conflict resumed on December 8, 2025.

"Both sides are committed to easing tensions and are willing to improve bilateral relations based on a ceasefire," said Wang Yi.

Wang Yi said that at least Cambodia and Thailand had produced three important consensus, namely, first, the two countries need to look ahead and move forward together.

"The ceasefire agreement was reached with great difficulty and must not stagnate or fail halfway, let alone allow the conflict to break out again. This is not what the people want, nor is it what China expects," said Wang Yi.

Second, the two countries must continue the ceasefire agreement step by step without stopping.

"The implementation of the ceasefire agreement requires continuous communication and consultation. The restoration of bilateral relations must be advanced gradually," added Wang Yi.

Wang Yi said as long as the two countries maintain trust and engage in equal dialogue, the goal will definitely be achieved.

"Third, rebuilding mutual trust is the most important. The conflict has led to a loss of trust, but Cambodia and Thailand are eternal neighbors with a long history of friendship exchanges," said Wang Yi.

The meeting on the banks of Fuxian Lake, Yuxi city, aims to heal the wounds of the conflict, eliminate the alienation between the two sides, and truly restore the friendship relationship.

"China will always be a supporter of the development of Cambodian-Thai relations and is willing to provide all necessary assistance and support, including monitoring the ceasefire, humanitarian assistance, mine clearance cooperation, and other aspects. China hopes and believes that the Cambodian-Thai relations will return to the initial state as soon as possible," Wang Yi added.

Meanwhile, the foreign ministers of Cambodia and Thailand emphasized the importance of peace and expressed their willingness to actively implement the ceasefire agreement, utilizing the dialogue mechanism at all levels, jointly managing, controlling, and resolving disputes, and cooperating to maintain peace and stability in the border region between the two countries.

It was also mentioned that there were five aspects that Cambodia and Thailand would improve to strengthen communication and increase understanding, namely, gradually consolidating the ceasefire, continuing communication, rebuilding mutual political trust, reaching a turning point in bilateral relations and maintaining regional peace.

Previously, Foreign Minister Wang Yi also held bilateral meetings with Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn and Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow on Sunday, December 28.

Thai authorities said 26 soldiers and one Thai civilian were killed in the conflict, while another 41 civilians died as a result of the indirect impact of the fighting.

The Cambodian Ministry of the Interior reported that at least 31 Cambodian civilians were also casualties in the clashes.

Thailand and Cambodia have a long-running border dispute that has often triggered violence, including a major clash in July 2025 that killed at least 48 people.