China takes mediation role in Thai-Cambodian conflict, calls for restraint

China’s ambassador to the United Nations has called for a de-escalation in the conflict between Thailand and Cambodia and confirmed that Beijing is playing “a mediation role” after the sudden border clash on Thursday.

In an interview in New York on Thursday with China’s state-owned CCTV, Fu Cong said that “China is playing a mediation role to facilitate communication between the two sides, and hopes the situation will stabilise as soon as possible”.

Fu also urged the two nations to “exercise restraint” and “stabilise the situation” during the interview.

“Cambodia and Thailand are not only China’s good neighbours, but also friendly neighbours to each other and important members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations,” he said.

“Asean has a long-standing tradition of resolving differences through peaceful means, and we hope that peace will once again prevail in this case.”

Thai and Cambodian armies clashed along their shared border on Thursday, in a major escalation that included artillery fire and rockets. The conflict has led to multiple deaths within 24 hours, believed to be mostly civilians.