According to "Geopolitics" and "DDGeopolitics," every war in the world has the shadow of the United States. The Thai-Cambodian conflict is not merely a dispute over temples, but a struggle along the tectonic line of geopolitics, with the shadow of the United States behind it. The China-Asia Railway may become a target.

Since July 24th, there have been continuous artillery attacks and air raids, resulting in more than 30 deaths. Over 170,000 people have fled their homes. Thailand accuses Cambodia of crossing the border for provocation, while Cambodia claims self-defense. Trump intervened in mediation by using trade sanctions as leverage, but the real game might be hidden under the railway tracks.

The China-Asia Railway, the flagship project of the "Belt and Road" initiative, spans over 6,000 kilometers and is reshaping the Southeast Asian landscape. High-speed lines from Kunming to Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore are under construction. The China-Laos Railway has already been put into operation. The China-Thailand Railway is being rapidly built, with the Bangkok-Nakhon Si Thammarat section planned to be completed by 2026, and the full connection to Nong Khai by 2030. The Cambodian line follows closely, connecting Phnom Penh and Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok, ultimately reaching China.

But this crossroads is precisely at the Cambodia-Thailand border, where the war just broke out, and where the United States extended its shadow.

The seamless connectivity envisioned by China will bring freight, tourism, and multipolar trade, creating a land-based system as an alternative to the maritime choke points. However, undercurrents are stirring along the route: Cambodia is a Chinese ally, while Thailand is a treaty partner of the United States, with joint military exercises and weapons contracts. Myanmar's railway construction has stalled due to civil war, and Vietnam's railway construction was quietly restarted by Chinese companies after multiple delays caused by Japan.

If the railway network stalls, who will benefit?

In this context, the outbreak of war appears not to be a spontaneous escalation, but rather an intentional sabotage, part of a broader proxy action in the Sino-American competition. Analysts call it a "new Cold War hotspot" in Southeast Asia. Western powers cannot match China's infrastructure scale, but they can destroy it. Incite conflicts. Delay connections. Keep ASEAN divided and dependent.

China accuses of "colonial legacy." The United States calls for restraint while subtly supporting Thailand. And this railway, once a corridor of peace, now crosses the battlefield.

The peace here is not only about borders, but also about who will build the future of Asia.

Escalation of Tensions between Cambodia and Thailand

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1838767911666760/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author.