China Supports Efforts to Solve Cambodia-Thailand Conflict

2011-02-15
Xinhua
Web Editor: Zhangxu

China on Tuesday reaffirmed its commitment to working with the international community to tackle the border conflict between Cambodia and Thailand.

"We welcome and support mediation efforts by the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN)to ease Cambodia-Thailand tensions and would like to work with ASEAN and the international community to play a constructive role in resolving the conflict," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu told a regular briefing on Tuesday.

Ma's comments came after the United Nations Security Council on Monday held consultations on the deadly border skirmishes from Feb. 4 to 7.

The four-day conflict left at least eight people dead and 67 injured. Tens of thousands of villagers near the disputed areas had fled their homes.

Stressing that Cambodia and Thailand are friendly neighbors of China, Ma said China was concerned about the clashes and regretted the casualties.

He called on the two nations to stay calm and exercise restraint and do their utmost to ease tensions.

"We expect the two countries to take into consideration the big picture of long-term relations and regional peace and stability," Ma said, citing dialogue and consultations as the way to resolve disputes.

The border between Thailand and Cambodia has never been completely demarcated. Although the International Court of Justice ruled in 1962 that an 11th Century temple belonged to Cambodia, the row over the 4.6 square kilometers of territory around the temple has never been resolved.