Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn and Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow met with their Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Yunnan province on 29/12.

The three-way meeting occurred two days after Cambodia and Thailand signed a new ceasefire agreement, ending weeks of border clashes. However, the agreement remained fragile, with Thailand today accusing Cambodia of deploying 250 drones that violated its territory.

"We have not resolved all issues, but I believe we are on the right track and need to maintain this momentum," Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak told reporters after the meeting, adding that the top priority was to ensure a sustainable ceasefire and continue rebuilding trust.

From left to right: Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow, and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Yunnan on 29/12. *Photo: AP*.

The Cambodian foreign minister, meanwhile, expressed confidence that the ceasefire agreement would last, facilitating the resumption of previously agreed-upon dispute resolution measures by both sides.

"We do not want to return to the past; that means no one wants to see this conflict happen again. Therefore, it is important that this ceasefire agreement lasts permanently, is respected, and is seriously implemented," Mr. Sokhonn said after the meeting.

The Chinese foreign minister stated during the meeting that, as a friend to both Cambodia and Thailand, China called for joint efforts to promote peace, stability, and regional development.

Following the meeting, Xinhua quoted Mr. Wang as saying that the three countries had reached a consensus on maintaining the ceasefire and continuing dialogue to gradually restore Cambodia-Thailand relations.

Cambodia's state news agency and the Thai Foreign Ministry also issued statements, saying the three sides had extensive discussions on maintaining the ceasefire, with the next important step being to resume normal exchanges.

Cambodia and Thailand signed a ceasefire agreement on 27/12, ending a conflict that erupted along their border on 7/12. Both sides agreed to work towards peace, stability, and security for residents living along the border area, committing to no unprovoked firing, no troop advances, and no deployment or movement of forces close to the other side's positions.

Thai Defense Minister Nattaphon Narkphanit stated that the border situation would be monitored for 72 hours after the agreement was signed. He announced that during this period, if the Cambodian side "demonstrates goodwill and no incidents occur," the parties would continue to work on clarifying the details of the agreement.

The conflict over the past three weeks resulted in the deaths of at least 23 people in Thailand and 30 in Cambodia, with over 900,000 residents in both countries forced to evacuate.

Ngoc Anh (According to AP, Xinhua, AKP)