Press Briefing – Update on the implementation of the immediate and unconditional ceasefire agreement between Cambodia and Thailand

Press Briefing – Update on the implementation of the immediate and unconditional ceasefire agreement between Cambodia and Thailand

Keynote Address by H.E. Chum Sounry, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFAIC):

7:00AM, August 16, 2025

1. The Tea Chat among the Foreign Ministers of China, Cambodia and Thailand

The MFAIC issued on Aug 15, 2025 a press release on “The Tea Chat among the Foreign Ministers of China, Cambodia and Thailand”, which reads as follows:

“The Royal Government of Cambodia conveys its deep appreciation to the People’s Republic of China for hosting the Tea Chat among the Foreign Ministers of China, Cambodia, and Thailand on August 14, 2025 in Anning, Yunnan Province. The discussions were held in a spirit of openness, candor, and mutual respect, providing a constructive platform to address the evolving border situation between Cambodia and Thailand.

Cambodia welcomes China’s indispensable role in facilitating dialogue and promoting de-escalation. We are particularly grateful for China’s support for the ceasefire agreed upon by Cambodia and Thailand, as well as its broader commitment to restoring normal relations between the two neighbors through peaceful means.

Cambodia firmly upholds the ceasefire agreed upon by both sides at the Special Meeting on July 28, 2025, and further consolidated at the Extraordinary General Border Committee Meeting on August 7, 2025. We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes, in accordance with international law, the principles of the United Nations Charter, and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.

Furthermore, Cambodia underscores the urgent need to adopt the Terms of Reference for the establishment of the ASEAN Observer Team, in order to enable its operationalization at the earliest opportunity. This mechanism is essential to ensure the full and effective implementation of the ceasefire, in line with the decisions reached at the Special Meeting on July 28, 2025 and further consolidated at the Extraordinary General Border Committee Meeting on August 7, 2025.

Cambodia also extends its gratitude to China for its willingness to support post-conflict reconstruction efforts. This engagement reflects a shared commitment to long-term peacebuilding and the recovery of communities affected by the recent armed conflict.

In addition, Cambodia appreciates China’s continued contribution to humanitarian demining efforts. While we welcome this support, we are of the view that demining activities should primarily focus on priority areas to be jointly defined and determined by the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) Cambodia-Thailand, as a meaningful step toward enhancing safety, stability, and sustainable development.

Cambodia remains committed to working closely with all partners—bilaterally, trilaterally, and through regional frameworks—to preserve peace, build mutual trust, and ensure lasting stability across the region.”

Through this press release, we can see Cambodia’s clear messages:

– Cambodia sincerely thanks China for hosting the trilateral ‘Tea Chat’ with Thailand, which created a constructive space to address the border situation in a spirit of openness and mutual respect. 

– We welcome China’s strong support for the ceasefire and its commitment to post-conflict recovery, including humanitarian demining. 

– Cambodia remains firmly committed to the agreements of 28 July and 7 August, and urges the swift deployment of the ASEAN Observer Team to ensure full implementation of the truce. 

– Cambodia’s goal is clear — to transform the border into a zone of peace, stability, and shared development for both nations and the region.

2. Cambodia Appreciates Japan’s Emergency Humanitarian Assistance to Border-Affected Communities

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation highly appreciates the decision of the Government of Japan to provide an Emergency Grant of approximately 1.8 million US dollars to address urgent humanitarian needs in the Cambodia–Thailand border areas.

This timely assistance will help provide essential supplies and temporary shelters to affected communities.

Cambodia values Japan’s principled support for the immediate and unconditional ceasefire agreement, as well as its steadfast commitment to peace, stability, and humanitarian relief.

We extend our sincere thanks to H.E. Ueno Atsushi, Ambassador of Japan to Cambodia, and Colonel Hara Takashi, Defense Attaché, for their personal visit to the affected border areas and for expressing heartfelt solidarity with those impacted.

The Royal Government of Cambodia looks forward to continueing close cooperation with Japan in alleviating the hardships of affected people and in promoting lasting peace along the Cambodia–Thailand border.