China held talks with representatives from Thailand and Cambodia on Wednesday as efforts to defuse tensions following the recent deadly border clashes continued.
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The three-way discussions in Shanghai, hosted by vice-minister for foreign affairs Sun Weidong, secured a commitment from both sides to abide by the ceasefire and were described by Beijing as an “informal consultation” given the “fragile situation” on the ground.
Underscoring that fragility, the two sides continued to trade accusations on Wednesday, with Thailand accusing Cambodian forces of a “flagrant” violation of the ceasefire – claims Phnom Penh rejected as “misleading and fabricated”.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a press conference later in the day that the meeting took place in a “candid, friendly and conducive” atmosphere and both sides had “reaffirmed to China their commitment to upholding the ceasefire”.
Guo added that Beijing was working to “create conditions for the early restoration of peace and stability” along the Thai-Cambodian border.
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“We stand ready to maintain close communication with Cambodia, Thailand and Malaysia and other regional countries to play a constructive role in cementing the ceasefire agreement and to restore regional peace and stability,” Guo said.