Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has requested that China support efforts to resolve Cambodia’s long-standing border dispute with Thailand through peaceful means. Writing on his official Facebook page on September 2, 2025, Hun Manet stated that he had appealed to Chinese leaders to encourage both countries to utilize existing mechanisms, such as the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Boundary Commission. He stressed that solutions should be based on bilateral agreements and international law, and that military force should be avoided, particularly in areas where civilians live.
Hun Manet said both Chinese President Xi Jinping and Wang Hu Ning, chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, pledged unwavering support for Cambodia. He added that Beijing expressed commitment to strengthening ties with Phnom Penh and to backing a ceasefire between Cambodian and Thai forces. China also voiced support for Malaysia’s role in mediating the ceasefire and promised to monitor the situation and assist in resolving it.
The appeal came during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, held from August 30 to September 1, 2025, in Tianjin, China. Leaders from 25 countries attended, including Russia, India, Malaysia, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia. Thailand did not send a representative. The SCO has 10 member states, 14 dialogue partners, 2 observers, and 4 guest nations.
Following the summit, Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that during bilateral talks, Hun Manet and Xi Jinping committed to expanding cooperation under a framework agreed in 2023 known as the Diamond Hexagon Strategy. The six-point plan covers political trust and mutual support on core interests, industrial production capacity, agriculture and trade investment, energy cooperation, joint security efforts against transnational crime and online scams, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges in tourism, youth, and media.
Xi Jinping also announced additional humanitarian assistance to Cambodia to help communities affected by recent armed clashes along the border with Thailand. China had earlier participated as an observer in the Extraordinary General Border Committee meeting between Cambodia and Thailand on August 7, 2025, which was mediated by Malaysia with backing from the United States to push for a ceasefire agreement.
This latest development highlights Phnom Penh’s effort to involve Beijing as a stabilizing influence in easing tensions with Thailand while reaffirming the close partnership between Cambodia and China.
