China-Asean Studies Center

13/07/2026

08/04/2026

In his commentary on “China-Proposed Initiatives and ASEAN-centred Peacebuilding in the Cambodia–Thailand Border Conflict,” Mr. Thong Mengdavid, Deputy Director at the China-ASEAN Studies Center, emphasized that ASEAN should remain the central platform for managing and resolving the dispute, given its established norms and regional legitimacy. At the same time, he noted that China can play a constructive complementary role by providing diplomatic support, development resources, and confidence-building measures, thereby helping to transform contested border areas into zones of cooperation, economic connectivity, and long-term stability.

Contemporary World Cambodia VoL 03, No. 04

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Volume 3 Number 4 ( October / November / December 2025 ) Contemporary World Magazine Cambodia

02/04/2026

On 2 April 2026, Mr. Oeung Venghong, Fellow Research at China-ASEAN Studies Center, published an article on Khmer Times, highlighting that the longstanding territorial dispute between Cambodia and Thailand reached a critical flashpoint in early 2026, transitioning from a localised border skirmish into an intense diplomatic struggle. He emphasized on how Thailand is utilising international media and diplomatic manipulation to justify its encroachment on Cambodia territory while manoeuvring to prevent France from providing map privileges and technical assistance to help Cambodia resolve border issues with Thailand.

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The longstanding territorial dispute between Cambodia and Thailand reached a critical flashpoint in early 2026, transitioning from a localised border skirmish into an intense diplomatic struggle. While a fragile ceasefire was brokered in late 2025, the peace has been undermined by Thailand’s media...

02/04/2026

On March 2, 2026, Ms. Pichanvorlak Rath, Research Fellow at the China-ASEAN Studies Center, published an article on Cambodianess, analysing the evolving Cambodia-Thailand border dispute. She argues that the situation has shifted away from expectations of an imminent third armed confrontation toward an endurance-based strategy driven by Thailand’s gradual structural encroachment and infrastructure expansion. She emphasizes that, rather than relying on direct military escalation, Thailand is incrementally consolidating its position on the ground through troop presence, construction, and controlled activities, while simultaneously shaping narratives that frame its actions as defensive and Cambodia’s responses as escalatory, thereby reinforcing its strategic advantage over time.

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The territorial dispute between Cambodia and Thailand has entered a new phase. Contrary to expectations of a third armed confrontation, the current dynamics ...