Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on Thailand and Cambodia to settle their long-running border dispute through dialogue, delivering the message during separate meetings with the two countries’ prime ministers in Shanghai.
Tensions between the Southeast Asian neighbours escalated into their deadliest clashes in more than a decade last year, leaving more than 100 soldiers and civilians dead and hundreds of others injured.
Although a ceasefire agreed in December 2025 has largely remained in place, Bangkok and Phnom Penh have continued to trade accusations over alleged violations.
Mr Xi raised the issue during talks with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on the sidelines of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference on Friday, saying a peaceful settlement was in the “common and long-term interests” of both countries.
According to China’s state-run Xinhua news agency, the Chinese leader encouraged the two sides to maintain communication and said Beijing was prepared to play a “constructive role” in supporting negotiations.
Mr Xi conveyed a similar position during a separate meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, reaffirming China’s support for resolving the dispute through diplomatic means.
The decades-old conflict stems from overlapping territorial claims along the Thai-Cambodian border, particularly around an ancient temple complex. The disagreement has periodically triggered armed confrontations between the two countries.
Mr Anutin reportedly told the Chinese president that Thailand remained committed to finding a peaceful solution and expressed appreciation for what he described as China’s “fair and impartial” approach.
Mr Hun Manet also thanked Beijing for promoting negotiations and supporting efforts to ease tensions, while pledging that Cambodia would continue to pursue dialogue and de-escalation.
Beyond the border dispute, Mr Xi urged both governments to strengthen their strategic cooperation with China. He proposed advancing a “2+2” dialogue involving the foreign and defence ministers of Thailand and China, as well as a “3+3” framework with Cambodia covering foreign affairs, defence and public security.
The Chinese leader also called for closer collaboration in emerging industries, including artificial intelligence, and coordinated action against telecommunications scams, online gambling and other forms of cross-border crime.
China is the largest trading partner of both Thailand and Cambodia and is also Cambodia’s biggest source of foreign investment.
During his meeting with Mr Anutin, Mr Xi called for faster progress on the Chinese-backed high-speed railway project in Thailand and improved rail connectivity between China and Thailand through Laos.
He also expressed support for Thailand taking a more prominent role in regional and international affairs and sought closer coordination through organisations including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.
In his talks with Mr Hun Manet, Mr Xi urged Cambodia to accelerate work on the Industrial Development Corridor, a bilateral infrastructure initiative, and the “Fish and Rice Corridor”, which is intended to support the development of Cambodia’s agricultural sector.
