After the ceasefire agreement was reached, the fighting between Thailand and Cambodia continued intermittently. This time, China did not bring the U.S. along, but instead held a meeting with Thailand and Cambodia. In front of China, Thailand and Cambodia solemnly pledged to "take an oath," promising this time to stop the fighting.

Tripartite Meeting Between China, Thailand and Cambodia

Less than 24 hours after the ceasefire agreement was reached, Thailand and Cambodia clashed again. Thailand informed China, the U.S., and Malaysia that Cambodia had violated the agreement unilaterally, while Cambodia immediately refuted it. Seeing signs that both sides might resume fighting, China quickly convened a non-official meeting with representatives from Thailand and Cambodia in Shanghai, hoping to ease the situation.

In fact, after the ceasefire agreement was reached, many experts believed that China was the key factor in pushing Thailand and Cambodia to cease hostilities, while the U.S. and Malaysia were more like "taking credit." On one hand, in terms of influence in Southeast Asia, China's voice far exceeds that of the U.S. and Malaysia, which is an undeniable fact.

On the other hand, China is an important economic partner for Thailand and Cambodia. If the two countries continue to fight, China would suffer the most. Therefore, China has a stronger desire than the U.S. and Malaysia for Thailand and Cambodia to stop the fighting as soon as possible. If Thailand and Cambodia are concerned about the U.S.'s "tariff stick," they are even more worried about China using its "economic lever." This approach would definitely be faster than that of the U.S.

Sino-Thailand Joint Military Exercise

A more important point is that military cooperation between Thailand, Cambodia, and China is also very close, and they have purchased a lot of Chinese-made military equipment. Data shows that the proportion of Chinese-made weapons in the Thai military is as high as 44%, while in the Cambodian military it is as high as 95%. If China does not mediate, Western countries will certainly use this opportunity to accuse China of "stoking the fire" and selling weapons.

Therefore, China should care about and must care about this issue of fighting between Thailand and Cambodia. Therefore, China specially convened this tripartite meeting, showing China's determination to promote the cooling down of the situation between Thailand and Cambodia. This time, without the U.S.'s "coercion and temptation," everyone could have a sincere conversation.

Sino-Cambodia Joint Military Exercise

The representatives of Thailand and Cambodia also reaffirmed in front of Chinese senior officials that they would strictly abide by the ceasefire agreement and safeguard peace. According to reports, the entire meeting was conducted in a "friendly" atmosphere. Since both sides have taken an oath, it seems that this matter can be put on hold for now.

However, just after the tripartite meeting between China, Thailand, and Cambodia ended, news came from Thailand that Thai troops were attacked by small arms and grenades from the Cambodian army. Until almost 48 hours after the ceasefire agreement was reached, the attacks by Cambodia continued. In other words, after Thailand reported the incident and China mediated, the two sides still failed to abide by the ceasefire agreement.

Cambodian Refugees

However, a reporter from AFP stationed in Cambodia said that he did not hear any explosions from the morning of the day when the tripartite meeting between China, Thailand, and Cambodia took place. In short, there are different opinions, and the fighting continues. The fact that the two sides keep fighting and stopping, with continuous conflicts, can explain one thing: although international mediation can be effective, the hatred between the two sides is difficult to eliminate in a short time.

As China stated, China will long-term strive to play a constructive role in the peace between Thailand and Cambodia. To put it bluntly, as long as conflict breaks out between Thailand and Cambodia, regardless of whether China wants to participate or not, it must actively mediate. Of course, China's efforts are only one aspect, and the key lies in Thailand and Cambodia finding the right way to resolve their disputes.

If Thailand and Cambodia, under the banner of "patriotism and people's interests," actually seek their own political benefits, putting the survival of tens of thousands of border residents in danger, then one day these politicians will face the punishment of the people. Peace is hard-won, and Thailand and Cambodia should cherish it.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7532811359470518830/

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