Ankara: China on Thursday urged Cambodia and Thailand to rebuild trust and reopen their borders amid ongoing tensions between the two nations over their disputed border.

According to Anadolu Agency, Beijing expressed its support for Thailand and Cambodia to strengthen dialogue and consultation to rebuild trust and restore friendship, as well as resume normal exchanges and cooperation. These remarks were made by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during a joint meeting with Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn and Thailand's top diplomat Maris Sangiampongsa. The statement was released by Beijing following the meeting.

The meeting occurred as the Chinese top diplomat hosted counterparts from Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand for the 10th Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Foreign Ministers' Meeting in the southern Chinese province of Yunnan. This event came after the escalation of border tensions between Cambodia and Thailand into armed clashes last month, resulting in dozens of casualties. The two Southeast Asian nations subsequently agreed to a ceasefire, which remains in place.

Wang emphasized that China supports ASEAN, a bloc of Southeast Asian nations, in resolving its internal problems in "the ASEAN way." He added that Beijing supports the consolidation of the ceasefire on the ground. Wang further noted China's support for both countries in responding to the demands of their people and reopening border crossings as soon as possible, highlighting that Cambodia and Thailand are "eternal neighbors and brothers."

The border dispute between Bangkok and Phnom Penh is centered along Cambodia's Preah Vihear province and Thailand's northeastern province of Ubon Ratchathani. The renewed tensions began on May 28, when a Cambodian soldier was killed, leading to clashes last month that resulted in the deaths of dozens of people, including civilians.