Press Briefing by H.E. Pen Bona- Update on the implementation of the immediate and unconditional ceasefire agreement between Cambodia and Thailand
Press Briefing by H.E. Pen Bona- Update on the implementation of the immediate and unconditional ceasefire agreement between Cambodia and Thailand
4:00 PM, August 31, 2025
Intervention by H.E. Pen Bona, Royal Government Spokesperson
Members of the press, as I have often informed you about Cambodia’s active diplomacy in advancing peacebuilding—particularly in the implementation of ceasefires—I would now like to share with you a new development.
His Excellency Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, reaffirmed China’s position in supporting the ceasefire monitoring mechanism led by Malaysia and expressed the urgent need to establish the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT), as soon as possible. At the same time, His Excellency the President also supported and provided humanitarian assistance to Cambodia to help restore damages and to ease the hardship of the people affected by armed clashes that took place at the end of July.
The reaffirmation was made on the afternoon of August 30, 2025, during the bilateral meeting with Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, on the occasion of his attendance at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit from August 30 to September 1, 2025, in Tianjin City, People’s Republic of China. On the occasion, President Xi Jinping regarded Samdech Thipadei’s presence as an important opportunity to further strengthen the ironclad friendship and expand the solidarity between China and Cambodia, especially following the President’s state visit to Cambodia in April this year. In response, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet expressed his deepest gratitude to the Government and the people of China for their consistent support for Cambodian development in all sectors.
Samdech Thipadei expressed that China’s support is a crucial driving force for advancing Cambodia’s socio-economic development, infrastructure construction, and improving the livelihood of Cambodian people. Samdech Thipadei also expressed appreciation for China’s active role in facilitating the realization of a ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand, aimed at protecting civilian life and restoring the livelihood of affected communities. Both leaders exchanged views on strengthening and deepening cooperation in priority sectors such as political diplomacy, economic trade, infrastructure development, and other key areas, aiming to enhance Cambodia’s self-reliant development capacity and safeguard its sovereignty.
During a courtesy and working meeting with His Excellency Wang Huning, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the senior Chinese official reiterated China’s support of the ceasefire and Malaysia’s role in facilitating and encouraging Cambodian-Thailand relations to return to normalcy as soon as possible. In response, Samdech Thipadei also requested China’s assistance in urging both parties to avoid the use of military forces and to resolve ongoing border issues, particularly in residential areas, through existing mechanisms and based on bilateral agreements relevant to treaty and international law. This is yet another example proving that Cambodian top leaders, both Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister, and Samdech Techo Hun Sen, President of the Senate, attach their highest attention to border issues with Thailand.
Whether inside or outside the country, our leaders consistently conduct active diplomacy to safeguard Cambodian sovereignty and territorial integrity, never forgetting the hard-earned and invaluable peace for our nation and Cambodian people.
We all still remember the letters from His Excellency Donald J. Trump, President of the United States, sent to Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet, in which the U.S. President praised the Cambodian Prime Minister as a strong leader who values human life and law and peace. The U.S. President also highlighted his pride in being part of the achievement of the ceasefire agreement between Cambodia and Thailand.
Now, we also have heard from President Xi Jinping of China, who reaffirmed support for this ceasefire and called for the swift establishment of the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT) mechanism, in line with Cambodian aspiration. This is the most important point that I would like to call on our citizens to understand the significance of diplomatic efforts, and especially the patience and determination of our leaders to prevent armed confrontation by prioritizing diplomatic activities to protect territorial integrity and preserve peace.
In this spirit, I would like to urge all our fellow citizens to pay attention to the aforementioned determination and to continue working together to support the rightful stance of the royal government, as well as marginalize the small extremist groups that maliciously seek to undermine our nation’s strong unity.
Thank you for your kind attention.
