BEIJING, Feb 22 (Xinhua) -- China on Tuesday said it supported Indonesia's efforts to solve the border row between Cambodia and Thailand within the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).
"China appreciates and supports Indonesia's active mediation efforts to tackle the Cambodia-Thailand border conflict under the ASEAN framework," Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu told a regular briefing.
China is "ready to continue to work with the international community, and ASEAN, to play a constructive role in resolving the conflict," he added.
Stressing that Cambodia and Thailand are friendly neighbors of China, Ma called on the two nations to stay calm and exercise restraint to avoid an escalation of tensions.
In the latest clashes on Feb. 4-7, a barrage of artillery shells were fired from both sides of the border, killing and wounding Cambodian and Thai soldiers and civilians, and caused tens of thousands of villagers on either side of the border and near the disputed areas to flee for safe shelters.
ASEAN foreign ministers are now in Jakarta to discuss the border spat that has dragged on for two years, which has resulted in armed clashes that have claimed nearly 20 lives since then and many others injured.
Member countries of ASEAN are: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. (Xinhua)
"China appreciates and supports Indonesia's active mediation efforts to tackle the Cambodia-Thailand border conflict under the ASEAN framework," Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu told a regular briefing.
China is "ready to continue to work with the international community, and ASEAN, to play a constructive role in resolving the conflict," he added.
Stressing that Cambodia and Thailand are friendly neighbors of China, Ma called on the two nations to stay calm and exercise restraint to avoid an escalation of tensions.
In the latest clashes on Feb. 4-7, a barrage of artillery shells were fired from both sides of the border, killing and wounding Cambodian and Thai soldiers and civilians, and caused tens of thousands of villagers on either side of the border and near the disputed areas to flee for safe shelters.
ASEAN foreign ministers are now in Jakarta to discuss the border spat that has dragged on for two years, which has resulted in armed clashes that have claimed nearly 20 lives since then and many others injured.
Member countries of ASEAN are: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. (Xinhua)
3 comments:
Where is America's stance in all of this? America should be the one who needs to play an active role in this issue of border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand. It was America that supported and approved the green-shade area of that dispute territory made up by Thailand. This is why Thailand is so cunning in being so aggressive toward Cambodia over issue that was already resolved in 1962 by ICJ. Thailand feels invincible when America is fully right behind padding on the back. I'm glad China is showing interest in this issue. China has invested heavily in Cambodia, so it's a must for China to see to it that
Cambodia will not be allowed to be arrogantly bullied and manipulated by a bigger neighbor to the west.
America is with Thailand. If it got involved it will look like it has to take side with Thailand because Thailand is America's closest ally in Asia. But America does not want to get involved because it might upset Cambodia who is very close to China. The main reason would be that America is in a dilemma to choose between the right and wrong because it is a close ally of Thailand, but it knows that Thailand is on the wrong side, so if it takes the wrong side with Thailand then the world will view America as the villain.
Why would you want to see America in this? Things can actually be settled at the JCB Meeting, all that we need is the cooperation of Thailand herself. As long as there is no involvement from the great nations and both country truly want peace, everything is settled! You say, America is holding the hegemonic status, but so what! Not every conflict in the world has to ask America for help, as you don't ask your Prime Minister if you are having problem with your girlfriend. Get a life people! Stop complaining asking for the impossible! You can't just sit out there and say "America, you're the world's dad, and Thailand, my brother, just beaten me up! Help me, I'm just a cry baby!". If you don't seek solution yourself, it'll never exist!
And by the way, things are going the right track, Clash->Bilateral->ASEAN->Ceasefire->Clash->UNSC->ICJ->UNSC->Peace(hopefully)!
-------------------------A Khmer...
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