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By John Feng and Shane Croucher
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China has expressed its concern after Thailand launched airstrikes against forces from Cambodia along their disputed border on Thursday in a major escalation of tensions between the Southeast Asian neighbors.
"We are deeply concerned with the ongoing developments and hope that the two sides will properly address issues through dialogue and consultation," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a regular briefing in Beijing on Thursday, July 24.
Why It Matters
Thailand and Cambodia are members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which aims to promote economic cooperation in the fast-growing region where the United States and China have competed for influence for years.
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China has good relations with both countries but is particularly close to Cambodia, where the government has given the Chinese navy access to a naval base on the Gulf of Thailand, close to the disputed South China Sea, where China has extensive claims.
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What To Know
The two sides blamed each other for starting the clashes on Thursday, with Thailand saying its F-16 jets bombed two Cambodian military headquarters after Cambodian forces used heavy artillery to target a Thai military base.
"We have used air power against military targets as planned," Thai army spokesperson, Richa Suksuwanon, told reporters.
Clashes were reported in at least six locations along the border.
Thailand's health ministry said 11 civilians, including a child, and one soldier were killed by Cambodian shelling, while 24 civilians and seven military personnel were wounded, Reuters reported.
Cambodian Prime Minster Hun Manet denounced in a statement what he called Thailand's "unprovoked and premeditated military aggression."
Cambodian troops had no option but to respond in self-defense, he said.
Unverified video clips posted on social media showed Cambodian forces firing a truck-mounted multiple-rocket launcher.
Thailand said it was recalling the Thai ambassador to Cambodia and told Cambodia to recall its ambassador in Bangkok.
Cambodia's foreign ministry said Thailand's air strikes were "unprovoked" and called on its neighbor to withdraw "refrain from any further provocative actions that could escalate the situation."
The Thais and Cambodians have been rivals for centuries and border disputes have been common. Tensions along Cambodia's northern border, which is poorly demarcated in many places, have been simmering since May when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a clash.
What People are Saying
The Thai foreign ministry said in a statement: "The Royal Thai Government urges Cambodia to cease its repeated act which constitutes a severe violation of international law. Such actions fundamentally contradict the principles of good neighborly relations and good faith, and will further undermine Cambodia's reputation and credibility on the global stage."
A Cambodian defense minstry spokesman, Lieutenant General Maly Socheata, said in a July 23 statement: "Cambodia stands fully prepared to defend its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the safety of our citizens—without allowing any foreign country to encroach on our territory under any circumstances, and at any cost."
What Happens Next
The neighbors share a 508-mile (818-kilometer) land border, many parts of which are disputed, so more clashes could occur.
China has called for Thailand and Cambodia to hold talks.
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