China's shuttle diplomacy strives to reach ceasefire

The Foreign Ministry's Special Envoy for Asian Affairs Deng Xijun concluded his six-day shuttle visit to Cambodia and Thailand on Tuesday, reaffirming China's willingness to once again create conditions and provide a platform for dialogue and negotiations by the two neighbors.

The visit marked China's latest effort to mediate the intensifying border conflict between the two Southeast Asian nations after a new round of clashes erupted in early December. Last week, Foreign Minister Wang Yi had two separate phone calls with the Cambodian and Thai foreign ministers.

It was reported that the conflict has already claimed around 60 lives and displaced more than half a million people, since a joint peace declaration was signed by the two countries in October. Deng previously visited Thailand and Cambodia in September as part of China's diplomatic engagement.

During Deng's latest visit, he met respectively with the two prime ministers and other high-ranking government officials, as part of China's shuttle diplomacy.

China closely follows the border situation between the two countries and is deeply saddened by the civilian casualties on both sides caused by the conflict, a news release quoted Deng as saying.

China supports the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' mediation efforts and the role of the ASEAN Observation Team in supervising the ceasefire, he said.

On Monday, foreign ministers from ASEAN members gathered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to discuss the current situation between Cambodia and Thailand.

China hopes that Cambodia and Thailand will work in the same direction to restore mutual trust and rebuild peace at the border, Deng added.

Both Cambodia and Thailand expressed their appreciation to China for encouraging peace talks in a way acceptable to all parties.

They reaffirmed their commitment to peace, expressed their expectation of achieving a sustainable ceasefire, and expressed their willingness to maintain communication with China to promote the de-escalation of tensions.

Thailand and Cambodia reportedly have agreed to hold a meeting of defense officials on Wednesday aimed at resuming the ceasefire, a move that has been welcomed by ASEAN.

zhoujin@chinadaily.com.cn