The recent ceasefire agreement between Cambodia and Thailand marks a critical turning point in one of Southeast Asia’s most serious armed confrontations since the end of the Cold War. Signed on Saturday at the Special General Border Committee (GBC) meeting, the joint statement reflects a shared commitment by both sides to halt hostilities and seek de-escalation. What followed immediately afterward underscored the broader significance of the agreement: Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn and Thailand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeow led their respective delegations to Yunnan for talks mediated by China from Sunday to Monday.

Both Cambodia and Thailand publicly expressed appreciation and gratitude for China’s constructive role in facilitating dialogue. International opinion, including commentary from typically China-skeptical Western media outlets, has widely acknowledged Beijing’s central mediating role in bringing the two sides to a ceasefire. This convergence of regional and global recognition was neither accidental nor symbolic-it reflected a mediation process rooted in pragmatism, restraint, and respect for sovereignty.

The Cambodia–Thailand border conflict has persisted for weeks, resulting in heavy casualties and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of civilians. Beyond the immediate humanitarian toll, the fighting posed a direct challenge to peace and stability in Southeast Asia. As both nations are members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the conflict also threatened ASEAN unity, undermining the bloc’s long-standing emphasis on dialogue, consensus, and non-interference.

Border disputes between Cambodia and Thailand are deeply rooted in history, shaped by colonial-era demarcations, overlapping territorial claims, and periodic flare-ups that have defied easy resolution. When tensions escalated into armed confrontation, the risks extended beyond bilateral relations, raising concerns........

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