AKP Phnom Penh, August 16, 2025 --

The Tea Chat among the Foreign Ministers of China, Cambodia, and Thailand on Aug. 14 in Anning, Yunnan Province, was held in a spirit of openness, candor, and mutual respect, providing a constructive platform to address the evolving border situation between Cambodia and Thailand, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFAIC) said at a press briefing here this morning.

“Cambodia welcomes China's indispensable role in facilitating dialogue and promoting de-escalation. We are particularly grateful for China's support for the ceasefire agreed upon by Cambodia and Thailand, as well as its broader commitment to restoring normal relations between the two neighbours through peaceful means,” underlined H.E. Chum Sounry, Secretary of State and Spokesperson of the MFAIC. 

He also reaffirmed Cambodia’s firm commitment to uphold the ceasefire agreed upon by both sides at the Special Meeting on July 28, 2025, and further consolidated at the Extraordinary General Border Committee Meeting on Aug. 7, 2025, as well as to adhere to the peaceful settlement of disputes, in accordance with international law, the principles of the United Nations Charter, and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.

Furthermore, he continued, Cambodia underscored the urgent need to adopt the Terms of Reference for the establishment of the ASEAN Observer Team, in order to enable operationalisation at the earliest opportunity. This mechanism is essential to ensure the full and effective implementation of the ceasefire, in line with the decisions reached at the Special Meeting on July 28, 2025 and further consolidated at the Extraordinary General Border Committee Meeting on Aug. 7, 2025.

Cambodia also extended its gratitude to China for its willingness to support post-conflict reconstruction efforts, H.E. Chum Sounry said, stressing that this engagement reflects a shared commitment to long-term peacebuilding and the recovery of communities affected by the recent armed conflict.

“In addition, Cambodia appreciates China's continued contribution to humanitarian demining efforts. While we welcome this support, we are of the view that demining activities should primarily focus on priority areas to be jointly defined and determined by the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) Cambodia-Thailand, as a meaningful step toward enhancing safety, stability, and sustainable development,” he emphasised. 

The spokesperson reiterated Cambodia’s commitment to work closely with all partners-bilaterally, trilaterally, and through regional frameworks to preserve peace, build mutual trust, and ensure lasting stability across the region.

By C. Nika