Responsible role in mediating regional conflict: China Daily editorial

After weeks of fighting along their contested border that has killed more than 100 people and displaced over half a million in both countries, Thailand and Cambodia finally signed a ceasefire agreement on Saturday, just prior to their top diplomats commencing two days of peace talks brokered by China in Yuxi, Yunnan province, on Sunday.

As Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who was hosting his Thai and Cambodian counterparts in the southwestern city, noted, the ceasefire is an important step toward restoring peace, and accords with the shared expectations of countries in the region.

Both Cambodia and Thailand have expressed appreciation and gratitude for China's positive role in mediating the dispute, which is emblematic of its efforts to foster regional peace and stability.

By facilitating dialogue between Cambodia and Thailand and supporting peace initiatives, China has not only helped avert a potential humanitarian disaster, but also reinforced its position as a responsible player in Southeast Asia.

By hosting the talks in Yuxi and offering humanitarian aid to those affected by the conflict, China has positioned itself as an impartial arbiter committed to peace. The ceasefire brokered under Chinese auspices is a testament to Beijing's ability to wield influence without resorting to coercion or military might — a stark contrast to the approach of some Western countries to conflict resolution, which often involves sanctions or military intervention.

At the heart of China's diplomatic success have been its impartiality and ability to engage both Thailand and Cambodia on equal terms, conducting multiple rounds of shuttle diplomacy. As a friend and close neighbor of both countries, China has consistently upheld the principle of standing together through thick and thin, and its mediation efforts to end the current conflict reflect this.

They have also been a practical demonstration of the Global Security Initiative that China has put forward, which encourages conflicting parties to build trust, settle disputes and promote security through dialogue and calls for support for all efforts conducive to the peaceful settlement of conflicts and crises.

As a news release of the China-Cambodia-Thailand meeting published on Monday indicates, China's mediation efforts have been complementary to those of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and Beijing has made it clear that it supports ASEAN in playing its due role in resolving the crisis and stands ready to provide assistance to the ASEAN observation mission that will monitor the ceasefire. By aligning its initiatives with ASEAN's objectives, China has effectively bolstered the regional body's capacity to manage conflicts within its domain. This not only enhances ASEAN's credibility, but also demonstrates that China is a partner willing to support multilateral peacekeeping frameworks.

Of course, the historical grievances, border demarcation and nationalist sentiments make the peace process complex. China fully understands this, and it is prepared to engage in sustained mediation. The talks between Thailand and Cambodia in Yunnan are just the first step, and the key to achieving lasting peace between them lies in the commitment of both parties to peace and their ability and willingness to resist interference from external forces that seek to sow seeds of instability and conflict out of their own geopolitical interests.

Southeast Asia is a region of immense economic and geopolitical significance, and stability here is crucial for the success of China's Belt and Road Initiative. By ensuring peace between Thailand and Cambodia, China is maintaining the smooth flow of trade across the region, thus safeguarding regional prosperity.

China's mediation efforts not only align with its long-held principles of noninterference and peaceful coexistence, but also reflect its endeavor to craft a truer perspective of its role in regional geopolitics — one in which China is recognized as a stabilizing force.

As China continues to navigate the complexities of regional geopolitics, its diplomacy that has helped end the Thailand-Cambodia conflict offers valuable experiences for the international community to resolve disputes through dialogue and negotiation. In this challenging era, China's diplomatic practices bolster confidence in the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.