China Hosts Talks to Solidify Thailand-Cambodia Ceasefire After Border Fighting

China hosted high-level diplomatic negotiations in Yunnan province on December 28, 2025, intended to solidify a fragile ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia. This meeting followed weeks of severe cross-border hostilities that generated a significant humanitarian crisis, resulting in over 100 fatalities and the displacement of more than half a million people across both nations. The truce itself had been signed the previous day, Saturday, December 27, establishing a tentative halt to the intense military exchanges that characterized early December.

The diplomatic schedule featured separate meetings led by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi with his Cambodian counterpart, Prak Sokhonn, and Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow, with further trilateral military discussions planned for the subsequent Monday. The agreement mandates a complete cessation of hostilities and a freeze on all troop movements, incorporating a critical 72-hour observation period to test compliance. As a concrete normalization step, Thailand confirmed its commitment to repatriate 18 Cambodian soldiers held since July fighting, contingent upon the successful completion of this observation window. Furthermore, China delivered the first consignment of humanitarian aid to Cambodia on Sunday, December 28, underscoring its commitment to stabilization.

The context for this diplomatic engagement is a long-standing territorial dispute, primarily focused on ancient temple sites such as Preah Vihear and Ta Muen Thom, which traces back to the Franco-Siamese treaties of 1904 and 1907. The recent violent escalation began after an earlier truce, mediated by Malaysia and influenced by U.S. President Donald Trump in July, collapsed amid renewed skirmishes in November. Heavy fighting reignited on December 8, following landmine explosions that injured Thai soldiers, prompting Thai airstrikes and artillery against Cambodian military facilities. The intensity of this conflict surpassed previous episodes, with fighting spreading across multiple Cambodian provinces, including Preah Vihear, Oddar Meanchey, Banteay Meanchey, Pursat, Battambang, Siem Reap, and Koh Kong by December 18, according to World Vision reports.

International reactions highlighted shifting geopolitical dynamics in mediation efforts. Foreign Minister Wang Yi characterized the Yunnan talks as an "important step towards restoring peace," emphasizing China's readiness to sustain a dialogue platform to foster a comprehensive ceasefire and rebuild bilateral trust. Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn expressed gratitude for Beijing's "vital role" in supporting the truce, while Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow explicitly requested China's constructive involvement in ensuring the peace's sustainability. In contrast, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed satisfaction with what he termed a "rapid and very fair conclusion," while simultaneously claiming the United States "has become the REAL United Nations."

The sustainability of the current agreement remains a central concern, particularly as displaced civilians express hesitation about returning home due to persistent distrust between the parties. China's diplomatic engagement, which included shuttle diplomacy by Special Envoy Deng Xijun, has focused on impartiality and supporting ASEAN-led mediation efforts. The scale of the displacement is vast: as of December 25, Cambodia's National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM) reported 644,589 people displaced, with 1,311 schools closed, affecting over 322,103 students. The success of the Yunnan talks will be measured by their ability to translate this diplomatic agreement into tangible security and confidence for the hundreds of thousands of civilians awaiting safe return.