The Chinese solution resolves regional hotspot issues

On Dec 7, a new round of conflict broke out between Cambodia and Thailand. The escalation was both sudden and more intense than previous flare-ups. Despite the United States confidently attempting to broker a ceasefire through "calls" and "tariff pressure", Thailand firmly rejected America's "good intentions" with both diplomatic responses and military actions.

The resurgence of conflict means that mediation has become more difficult, with an increased possibility and uncertainty of repeated flare-ups. This has significantly reduced the United States' expectations and willingness to successfully mediate the current conflict. First, the US achieved its strategic objectives in the previous round of mediation: not to secure lasting peace between the two sides, but to reach a "deal" favorable to the US On Oct 26 and 27, the White House published ten announcements, revealing a series of trade and key mineral agreements signed with five Asian countries, including Thailand and Cambodia. Second, the effectiveness of the "tariff pressure" is waning. Since Trump imposed "reciprocal tariffs" globally, the affected countries have been conducting evaluations and negotiations, gaining a deeper understanding of the deceptive logic and absurd nature of "reciprocal tariffs". The US tried to use the same tactic in the Cambodia-Thailand conflict but was met with a firm rebuttal from Thailand, further diminishing the deterrent power of the "tariff pressure".

As a responsible regional power, China has never remained silent. Building on its mediation of the previous conflict, China coordinated extensively with ASEAN, taking into full account the concerns of both Cambodia and Thailand, while respecting ASEAN's central role. Through "shuttle diplomacy" and "platform-building", China worked to encourage peace talks. On Dec 18, 2025, Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and minister of Foreign Affairs, held separate phone calls with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn, and Thai Minister of Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeow. On the same day, China's special envoy for Asian Affairs visited Cambodia and Thailand once again for shuttle diplomacy. On Dec 29, a successful trilateral meeting between the foreign ministers of China, Cambodia, and Thailand took place in Yuxi, Yunnan. After the meeting, a Joint Statement was issued, outlining five key areas where Cambodia and Thailand would enhance communication, deepen mutual understanding, gradually consolidate the ceasefire, restore exchanges, rebuild political trust, and work towards a turnaround in bilateral relations, ultimately safeguarding regional peace. China's mediation solution has earned the recognition and trust of both parties to the conflict, ASEAN countries, and the international community.

China's mediation solution focuses on achieving lasting peace. As developing countries and members of the Global South, both China and the two parties, Cambodia and Thailand, deeply understand the importance of a peaceful environment for national development. Based on this, China has long been committed to maintaining friendly relations and close cooperation with both Cambodia and Thailand. China and Thailand share a "family-like" bond, while China and Cambodia enjoy an "all-weather" partnership. Both countries are important partners in China's effort to build a community of shared future in the region. "Neighbors wish each other well, just like family members do." Maintaining friendly relations between Cambodia and Thailand is not only in their mutual interest, but also contributes to regional security and stability. No country desires harmony between the two nations more than China. Therefore, China's mediation solution consistently aims to promote lasting peace between the two countries, without being deterred by the increased difficulty of mediation. In today's complex international environment, characterized by uncertainty, instability, and insecurity, China's stability and certainty provide the world with positive energy.

China's mediation solution follows the "Asian way", emphasizing mutual respect, consensus-building, and taking into account the concerns of all parties. It is shaped by the diverse religious, linguistic, and cultural attributes of Asian societies. The various ethnic groups in Asia maintain intricate and complex connections. Through their interactions, the peoples of Asia have developed unique Asian values. Therefore, to resolve conflicts, it is essential to consider Asia's historical and cultural context, as well as the unique ways in which Asian nations interact, finding common ground that can promote mutual understanding. China has had nearly a thousand years of exchange with both Cambodia and Thailand, and understands the wisdom of interaction between the two sides. This longstanding experience provides China with the necessary conditions and cultural foundation to mediate between the two sides in the current conflict.

China's mediation solution is not driven by self-interest. China's cooperation with ASEAN countries is always based on the fundamental principle of "extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits". First, China's economic cooperation with ASEAN countries is never conditioned on any political stipulations. Based on the consensus of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, China and ASEAN countries have jointly advanced pragmatic cooperation, such as the "China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0" and the "Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP)". Second, China's cooperation with ASEAN countries is not directed at any third party, nor does it set an exclusive agenda. China's cooperation with ASEAN clearly demonstrates a willingness to share the dividends of development. This approach has enhanced the credibility and effectiveness of China's mediation in the current conflict. Third, China has fully respected the "ASEAN way" in both rounds of mediation. Whether in the August Anning Tea Chat or the December Fuxian Lake meeting, China has supported ASEAN's mediation efforts as a precondition for action, helping ASEAN and the conflicting parties consolidate the ceasefire, and guiding all parties to look and move forward together, while maintaining ASEAN's central role in the regional architecture.

With Thailand's release of 18 Cambodian soldiers on Dec 31, 2025, the latest round of the Cambodia-Thailand conflict came to a temporary halt. The effectiveness of China's mediation was thus fully demonstrated. However, it must also be acknowledged that achieving a sustainable ceasefire and promoting a turnaround in Cambodia-Thailand relations remains a long and challenging journey. China will continue to play its part in its own way, without imposing its will or stepping beyond its role, by persistently encouraging dialogue and communication between Cambodia and Thailand, rebuilding political trust, improving bilateral relations, and continuing to inject positive energy into the maintenance of regional peace and stability.

Gu Jiayun is vice dean of the School of Asian Studies and Director of the Center for Cambodian Studies, Beijing Foreign Studies University. 

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