China welcomes Cambodia-Thailand ceasefire, plans talks

China welcomed the joint ceasefire declaration signed by Cambodia and Thailand and said its foreign minister would meet his counterparts from both countries in China, according to the announcement published on the foreign ministry’s website.

Cambodia and Thailand agreed on Saturday to a second ceasefire in recent months, ending weeks of intense border clashes between the two Southeast Asian neighbors that have been described as the worst clashes in years.

China’s foreign ministry said the agreement showed that dialogue and consultation were practical and effective ways to resolve complex disputes.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi will meet with his Cambodian counterpart Prak ‌Sokhonn and Thailand’s Sihasak Phuangketkeow in southwestern Yunnan province from December 28 to 29, the ministry said, adding that military representatives from the three countries will also attend.

China is willing to continue providing a platform and facilitating more comprehensive and detailed communication between Cambodia and Thailand, he said.

“China will play a constructive role in its own way to help Cambodia and Thailand consolidate the ceasefire, maintain exchanges, rebuild political mutual trust, achieve an improvement in relations and maintain regional peace,” the ministry said. he said.