China Makes Second Shuttle Diplomacy in Five Days to Mediate Border Conflict

A second shuttle diplomacy trip has been conducted by China within five days, claiming that they support mediation efforts and role of observer team to ceasefire monitoring.

China conducted another shuttle diplomacy trip led by Deng Xijun, special envoy for the Foreign Affairs Ministry, to Cambodia and Thailand after its last one on Thursday to mediate the border conflict.

According to a Facebook post by Chinese ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun on Tuesday, they support ASEAN’s mediation efforts and the important role of its observer team in ceasefire monitoring.

“China is willing to create conditions and provide a platform for dialogue and negotiations between the two parties. It is hoped that Cambodia and Thailand will meet each other halfway, strive to restore mutual trust and rebuild border peace,” he added.

Last week, Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi said Cambodia and Thailand had shown “willingness” to ease tensions and implement a ceasefire after his shuttle diplomacy with both parties.

The renewed conflict, which began on December 7, has pushed up the civilian death toll to 21 with 83 injured, while over half a million people have been displaced from their homes in Cambodia.