Description: China and the US along the ASEAN countries led by Malaysia would attempt to restart the peace negotiations between Thailand and Cambodia which have reignited their conflict on 08 Dec. Exchanging blame for the inflamed tensions and the return to armed fighting, Thailand and Cambodia’s foreign ministers attended the ASEAN meeting where their officials delivered messages of reintegration of the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord, signed earlier this year in Malaysia. Thailand’s Foreign Minister mentioned that the peace agreement was signed prematurely and the fundamental causes of the conflict haven’t been addressed. Cambodia remained reserved and stated that their military and political leadership remained dedicated to achieving a peaceful resolution to the century – old border dispute. China has also undertaken a more assertive position in the mediation between the two countries sending its special envoy for Asian affairs Deng Xijun to negotiate with both countries. Thai and Cambodian officials agreed to attend a bilateral meeting of their top military officers on 24 Dec in line with the General Border Committee where ceasefire negotiations are expected to continue. Since 08 Dec, more than a million people were displaced and approximately 80 people were killed.
Impact: The reignition of armed fighting between Thailand and Cambodia has prompted China to adopt a more aggressive stance in its mediation efforts. Considering that both countries pertain to China’s own geopolitical theater of interest, China’s indigenous knowledge of the bilateral dispute and its level of regional influence could push both countries towards committing efforts to deescalate the conflict. Clashes continued despite the meeting which exhibits the bilateral insistence on both sides to continue fighting as opposed to committing towards deescalation. Nationalistic narrative on both sides still reigns supreme, which is a flashpoint for consistent reescalation of the armed fighting and a disputable point that needs to be addressed by both China and the US. Depending on China’s level of involvement in the dispute, Thailand and Cambodia should be expected to gradually reduce the hostile and nationalistic rhetoric while a prolonged period of time would be necessary in order for the fundamental border issues to be addressed.