Three-party talks help to restore peace

The trilateral meeting of China, Cambodia and Thailand on Monday emphasized the need to fully and effectively implement the truce between Phnom Penh and Bangkok, with a view to ensuring a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire and laying the foundation for rebuilding peace.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi hosted the meeting with Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn and Thai Minister of Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeow in Yuxi, Yunnan province. Representatives of the militaries of the three countries also took part.

The meeting was part of the two-day mediation effort by China to cement the new ceasefire deal reached by the two neighbors in Southeast Asia on Saturday. Wang had separate bilateral meetings with Sokhonn and Sihasak on Sunday.

During Monday's meeting, the three sides had in-depth exchanges on consolidating the ceasefire and working step by step through mutual efforts to resume normal exchanges, rebuild political mutual trust, improve Cambodia-Thailand bilateral relations, and safeguard regional stability.

Wang said that since the outbreak of the Cambodia-Thailand border conflict, China has actively engaged in mediation efforts in line with the principles of the Global Security Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping.

Noting that the trilateral meeting was timely, he said that the discussions among the three parties had been productive and constructive, leading to important consensuses.

The ceasefire agreement was hard-won and must not be abandoned halfway, Wang said, adding that it would be even worse for the two countries to reignite the conflict, which is neither the wish of the people nor what China hopes for.

He called on the two sides to proceed in a phased approach to restore bilateral relations through continuous communication and consultation. As long as both sides maintain confidence and engage in dialogue on an equal footing, they can achieve their goals, he said.

While highlighting the vital importance of rebuilding trust, Wang expressed the hope that the meeting will help Cambodia and Thailand achieve reconciliation, which, he said, serves the interests of the Cambodian and Thai peoples and the common expectations of all parties.

China will always act as a promoter of the development of Cambodia-Thailand relations, and is willing to provide all necessary assistance and support, including ceasefire monitoring and humanitarian aid, he said, adding that Beijing hopes and believes that Cambodia-Thailand relations will soon return to the right track.

The foreign ministers of Cambodia and Thailand expressed their gratitude to China for providing this dialogue platform and said they highly appreciate the country's constructive role in resolving the conflict, easing tensions and promoting dialogue.

Both sides emphasized the preciousness of peace and expressed their willingness to actively implement the ceasefire agreement, make good use of dialogue mechanisms at all levels, jointly manage and resolve disputes, and jointly maintain peace in the border areas.

In a news release issued after the trilateral meeting, the three countries stressed that the ceasefire agreement serves the fundamental and long-term interests of the people of Cambodia and Thailand, sends a positive signal, and is conducive to the peace and stability of the region.

China is ready to provide all necessary support to Cambodia and Thailand in advancing humanitarian de-mining through the Joint Coordinating Task Force and bilateral arrangements, and to provide substantive assistance for the ASEAN Observer Team to ensure its effective functioning, the news release said.

China will continue to play a constructive role in facilitating the rebuilding of trust and achieving lasting peace between Cambodia and Thailand in the Asian way, with the aim of building a community with a shared future with neighboring countries, the release added.

caodesheng@chinadaily.com.cn