China welcomed a ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand on Sunday as senior diplomats from the three countries gathered in southwestern China for talks aimed at easing tensions after weeks of deadly border fighting along their disputed frontier.
The agreement, reached on Saturday, brought an end to clashes that killed at least one hundred and one people and displaced more than half a million civilians on both sides of the border. It was the second ceasefire attempt in recent months, underscoring the fragility of calm in an area that has seen recurring flare ups linked to long running territorial disputes.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi praised the truce during a meeting with Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, calling it an important step toward restoring peace and stability in the region. Wang said the ceasefire aligned with the shared expectations of neighboring countries and the wider international community, according to China’s state run Xinhua news agency.
Prak Sokhonn and Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow were both expected to meet Wang in Yunnan province on Sunday and Monday for a two day round of discussions focused on preventing a renewed outbreak of violence.
Wang urged Phnom Penh and Bangkok to work toward a complete and lasting ceasefire, stressing the need to resume normal cross border exchanges and rebuild trust after weeks of bloodshed. He said diplomats and military officials from both sides should use the Yunnan meetings to communicate flexibly and deepen mutual understanding.
The fighting forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee villages near the border, straining local resources and raising concerns among aid groups about shelter, food, and medical care. Wang said China was willing to provide humanitarian assistance to Cambodia to support the resettlement of displaced residents.
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While details of the ceasefire mechanism have not been made public, regional analysts say sustained dialogue will be critical to preventing further escalation, especially given the history of sporadic violence in the area.
The talks in Yunnan are expected to continue through Monday, with attention focused on whether the ceasefire can hold and open the door to longer term confidence building measures between the two neighbors.