Xi Jinping pledges to help Thailand, Cambodia resolve border dispute

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday pledged to continue helping Thailand and Cambodia resolve their long-standing territorial dispute in a ‘proper and peaceful’ manner. The commitment was made during separate meetings with the leaders of the two Southeast Asian nations in Shanghai, according to a statement from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In his meeting with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Xi expressed hope that Bangkok and Phnom Penh would remain committed to the path of dialogue. Xi stressed that Beijing is ‘ready to continue playing a constructive role’ in the process. To Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, Xi said that consolidating the ceasefire and gradually building mutual trust between Cambodia and Thailand is in the fundamental interests of both sides. The two prime ministers were in Shanghai to attend the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC), which opened on Friday. China’s foreign ministry stated that both leaders expressed appreciation for China’s role in advancing the peace process. Tensions between Cambodia and Thailand remain high after flaring up again in May 2025. Five days of clashes in July last year killed more than 30 people, before the two leaders finally signed a peace agreement in October witnessed by US President Donald Trump. However, border clashes erupted again last December, killing more than 40 soldiers and civilians and forcing hundreds of thousands to flee their homes. The two countries then agreed to a ceasefire at the end of that month following mediation efforts involving Trump and China. Beyond the border issue, Xi also agreed with both leaders to continue cooperating in combating cross-border crimes such as online gambling and telecommunications fraud. Ahead of PM Anutin’s visit to China, human rights watchdog Human Rights Watch urged Thai authorities not to deport four Chinese dissidents detained in Bangkok. The detainees include journalist Bai Zhaodong and pro-democracy activist Zhang Xinyan. Hong Kong police had previously offered a reward of HK$200,000 (approximately US$25,000) for Zhang’s arrest.