BANGKOK, Dec 21 — China’s special envoy for Asian affairs visited Phnom Penh this week to push for Cambodia and Thailand to de-escalate their fierce border fighting, Cambodia’s Foreign Ministry said yesterday.
Deng Xijun’s visit comes as the United States and China renew efforts to bring the two countries to a ceasefire, ahead of a special Asean meeting tomorrow.
Around 60 people have died and more than half a million have been displaced since the two nations resumed hostilities, ending a ceasefire signed in July.
“Deng Xijun reaffirmed that China will continue to play a constructive role in facilitating dialogue between Cambodia and Thailand with a view to promoting the peaceful settlement of disputes,” the ministry said in a statement.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters on Friday that the US is cautiously optimistic that Thailand and Cambodia could be back in compliance with the ceasefire by early next week.
