China's special envoy for Asian affairs Deng Xijun visited Phnom Penh this week to urge Cambodia and Thailand to calm their fierce border clashes, the Cambodian Foreign Ministry said, quoted by Reuters, BTA reported.
Deng's visit comes as the United States and China renew efforts to bring the two countries to a truce, ahead of a special meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on Monday. About 60 people have been killed and more than half a million displaced since the two sides resumed hostilities, ending a ceasefire brokered by Donald Trump in July.
"Deng Xijun confirmed that China will continue to play a constructive role in facilitating dialogue between Cambodia and Thailand to promote a peaceful resolution of the disputes," the ministry said in a statement.
Secretary of State Rubio told reporters last night that the United States believes Thailand and Cambodia could return to respecting the ceasefire early next week. He described that as cautious optimism, Reuters recalls.