Beijing sent a special envoy to Thailand and Cambodia on Thursday for peace mediation efforts after the two Southeast Asian neighbours engaged in another major exchange of fire.
“As a close neighbour and friend of Cambodia and Thailand, China closely follows the ongoing border conflict between the two countries and has shuttled between the two sides to promote peace,” China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced in a statement on Wednesday.
“Through its own way, China has been working actively for de-escalation.”
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The ministry said the shuttle diplomacy would be conducted by China’s special envoy for Asian affairs, without naming the diplomat. The position is currently held by Deng Xijun.
Risks of renewed conflict between Thailand and Cambodia rose last month after Bangkok suspended implementation of a peace agreement following a landmine blast that injured two Thai soldiers near the border.
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The peace agreement was signed in October to address an intensive five-day clash in July between the two countries along their border. US President Donald Trump brokered the deal and hailed it as another major win for his administration in peace mediation.