On Sunday, China’s state-run Global Times tried to take credit for a ceasefire involving the Chinese government. President Donald Trump facilitated negotiations between Cambodia and Thailand.
According to the Global Times He claimed that the delegations from both Cambodia and Thailand expressed their “gratitude and appreciation for China’s active role” in reaching the ceasefire agreement signed on Saturday.
“The general sentiment internationally is that China played a key role in mediating the ceasefire, especially considering this conflict is seen as one of the most significant armed clashes between ASEAN nations since the Cold War,” he noted. However, the Global Times then went on for another 3,000 words without citing any specific example of outside validation for this view.
Instead, the piece took on a dreamlike quality, portraying Cambodia and Thailand as so wrapped up in “so-called ‘human rights’ and ‘democratic change'” that they overlooked “traditional Western-led mediation.”
The Communist Party-affiliated newspaper commended the Chinese government for taking an “objective and impartial stance” on the Cambodia-Thailand issue, claiming it “conducted shuttle diplomacy multiple times” and acted as “a friend and neighbor to both sides.”
As the editorial droned on, Global Times suggested Beijing feels frustrated that its diplomatic efforts are not receiving the recognition they think they deserve. They recalled how China “facilitated reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran” three years ago.
“Unlike many former mediations by Western nations, China does not adopt a condescending tone, nor does it impose political conditions or seek geopolitical gain,” the editors stated, keen to promote China’s diplomatic efforts which may not seem attractive to all.
The Global Times found it justified to express concern over the ongoing conflict stemming from the border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand. Cambodia achieved independence from French colonial rule in 1953.
There’s a lingering tension as both nations seem inclined towards resolving their issues through violent means, even though Cambodia seems to be at a disadvantage. Accusations of provocation and exchanges of small arms fire have come from both sides. It was President Trump who had to intervene, despite being ridiculed by China, to persuade Cambodia and Thailand to halt the conflicts they both seemed inclined to continue.
After skirmishes resulted in the deaths of numerous civilians and displaced thousands, Trump used the threat of tariffs to negotiate a ceasefire in July. Cambodia asserted that this achievement was significant enough for Trump to be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Fighting reignited in November, triggered by a landmine explosion that injured Thai soldiers. Thailand accused Cambodia of irresponsibly planting these mines. Since then, there have been further injuries among Thai soldiers, including more incidents.reported last Monday.
The new ceasefire established on Saturday is already showing signs of instability, with Cambodia accusing Thailand of conducting more airstrikes post-agreement. President Trump pushed for both countries to adhere to the July agreement while urging global entities, especially the United Nations, to take active roles in ensuring peace between the two nations. Meanwhile, China appears to be leveraging the situation to position itself as a more capable mediator beyond Trump’s July agreement.
China is essentially offering its support for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) ceasefire monitoring initiative and has provided limited humanitarian aid to both Cambodia and Thailand. Interestingly, Thailand has shown hesitation towards accepting the modest $3 million in aid from the Chinese government.
