China to host trilateral talks to help secure Thai-Cambodian ceasefire

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi is set to organise a trilateral consultation with Thailand and Cambodia on Monday to help ensure a sustained ceasefire and promote lasting peace between the two neighbouring countries.

Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow will leave tomorrow for Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province, at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi.

Cambodia’s Foreign Minister, Prak Sokhonn, will represent Phnom Penh at the consultation scheduled for Monday.

The trilateral meeting is expected to focus on the truce agreement signed today by the Thai and Cambodian defence ministers at the third special meeting of the General Border Committee, held in Chanthaburi province.

Under the agreement, both countries have agreed to halt all military operations under a 72-hour observation period. Thailand has vowed that if Cambodia violates the ceasefire, it reserves the right to resume military retaliation.

The Thai Foreign Ministry said the discussions aim to help ensure a sustained ceasefire and promote lasting peace between the two nations.

During his visit, Sihasak will also hold bilateral talks with Wang, who is a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs.

Last week, China sent Deng Xijun, its special envoy for Asian affairs, to Phnom Penh and Bangkok in an effort to help de-escalate border clashes.