The Prime Ministers of Thailand and Cambodia will soon travel together to Shanghai to attend the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence (AI) Conference and Global Governance Summit on Artificial Intelligence. According to analysis, China may seize this opportunity to facilitate a meeting between the Thai and Cambodian Prime Ministers, or a trilateral meeting, to end the standoff at the Thai-Cambodian border.
Ming Pao published an article on Wednesday pointing out that the conference is scheduled to open on the 17th. Chinese President Xi Jinping will deliver a keynote speech. This will be Xi's first personal appearance since the founding of the AI conference eight years ago, reflecting Beijing's top leadership's emphasis on global AI development and governance.
Another highlight of the conference is that Thai Prime Minister Anutin and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet will also attend. If China can facilitate a meeting between the Thai and Cambodian Prime Ministers in Shanghai, or a trilateral meeting, to end the border standoff, it would be "immensely meritorious," and would also showcase China's international influence and its important role in "promoting dialogue and peace."
The article stated that in July last year, Thailand and Cambodia exchanged fire due to territorial disputes and other issues, resulting in dozens of military and civilian casualties on both sides.
At the end of October last year, under the witness of US President Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Dato' Seri Anwar, Anutin and Hun Manet, who were attending the ASEAN Summit, signed the Kuala Lumpur Peace Agreement, implementing a temporary ceasefire. However, fighting flared up again afterward, continuing until the end of December that year.
The article noted that Beijing maintains good relations with both Thailand and Cambodia and does not wish to see US intervention in regional affairs. Last year, at least four shuttle visits were made by Chinese special envoys, and a ceasefire was finally enforced at the end of the year. China also arranged a meeting between the two foreign ministers in Yuxi, Yunnan, after which Foreign Minister Wang Yi joined for a trilateral meeting.
The Cambodian and Thai foreign ministers also "highly appreciated China's constructive role in resolving conflicts, easing tensions, and promoting dialogue."
In April this year, Wang Yi visited three ASEAN countries to further mediate the Thailand-Cambodia border dispute and received positive responses. However, there are still sporadic clashes between the two countries today, including landmine explosions, cross-border drones, and frequent small-scale shootings.
According to analysis, if China manages to broker a Thailand-Cambodia ceasefire, this would not only benefit regional peace but also showcase China's image as a "major power for peace," highlighting Xi Jinping's "Global Security Initiative," which advocates "resolving differences and disputes between countries through dialogue and consultation in a peaceful manner, and supporting all efforts conducive to the peaceful resolution of crises."