BANGKOK — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow on Saturday expressed confidence that China understands how to conduct itself appropriately amid tensions between Thailand and Cambodia, following Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen’s visit to Beijing.
Sihasak said Cambodia’s visit to China was a normal part of bilateral relations and stressed that Beijing had not taken sides in the dispute between the two neighbouring countries.
“I believe China knows how it should position itself. Bilateral relations between China and Cambodia are normal, but China also knows it should avoid doing anything that could affect the conflict,” he said.
He urged the public not to overreact to reports originating from Cambodia, saying some information was being released to support Cambodia’s own narrative.
“Don’t be swayed by every report. Some of the news comes from Cambodia and is intended to favour its own position,” he said.
Asked about reports that Cambodia was seeking to purchase ammunition from China, Sihasak said such defence cooperation had been agreed previously and was unrelated to the current Thai-Cambodian dispute.
“China has interests in Cambodia, including existing cooperation such as military facilities, but that should not affect the Thailand-Cambodia situation or signal support for either side. I believe China understands this well,” he said.
Sihasak also confirmed that the compulsory conciliation process under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) would continue as planned. He said Thailand would assess any outcome based on whether it was fair and consistent with the country’s national interests.