Recently, the third China-Cambodia-Thailand Track II Dialogue was held in Shenzhen. Nearly 100 representatives from think tanks, civil society organizations, humanitarian agencies, university faculty and students, and other sectors of the three countries attended, discussing measures to ease tensions along the Cambodia-Thailand border, restore normal order, and promote lasting peace.
The meeting was organized by the China Foreign Affairs University under the theme “Implementing the Consensus of the Fuxian Meeting and Strengthening the Foundation for Lasting Peace.” It featured discussions on border security, the economy and public livelihoods, public health and humanitarian assistance, and youth exchanges. Participants suggested that Cambodia and Thailand could consider phased and limited reopening of border crossings to reduce the impact of the dispute on trade and the lives of border residents. On security issues, the working group emphasized the importance of rebuilding mutual trust and proposed measures such as the withdrawal of heavy weapons to create conditions for restoring cooperation.
Sun Jisheng, vice president of the China Foreign Affairs University, said the dialogue was intended not only to prevent the situation from escalating again, but also to lay the foundation for lasting peace, adding that sustained communication and the rebuilding of mutual trust are essential to resolving disputes peacefully. Participants also discussed humanitarian assistance along the border, public health, mental health support, and youth exchange mechanisms among the three countries.
The first two China-Cambodia-Thailand Track II dialogues were held in Beijing in February and April this year. The Shenzhen meeting was the third such exchange. The organizers said they hope to advance regional peace and stability through sustained dialogue. The meeting was unofficial in nature, and suggestions such as reopening border crossings remain under discussion and do not mean that the Cambodian and Thai governments have reached a formal agreement.