China refutes report questioning its position on Cambodia-Thailand border conflict

BEIJING, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- China carries out normal defense cooperation with all ASEAN countries, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Friday responding to a media report questioning China's neutral position on the border conflict between Cambodia and Thailand.

Spokesperson Guo Jiakun made the remarks at a regular press briefing when asked to comment on a recent Western media report saying that China provided a large amount of weapon supplies to Cambodia.

Guo said since the outbreak of the border conflict between Cambodia and Thailand, as a friendly neighbor of both countries, China has upheld a just and fair position and made active effort to promote talks for peace.

He said the foreign ministers of China, Cambodia and Thailand reached outcome in China's Anning, Yunnan Province. The three countries held an informal consultation, and the Chinese Foreign Ministry's Special Envoy for Asian Affairs made several shuttle-diplomacy trips for peace between the two sides.

With the active efforts of China, Malaysia and various parties, Cambodia and Thailand reached a ceasefire agreement and the two sides are in communication via bilateral mechanisms, said the spokesperson, adding that relevant parties have spoken highly of China for playing an irreplaceable role in this process.

Noting that China supports Cambodia and Thailand in settling disputes through dialogue and consultation, and supports Malaysia, as the rotating chair of ASEAN, in promoting the political settlement of the issue through the ASEAN Way, Guo said China stands ready to, in light of the will of Cambodia and Thailand, continue promoting talks for peace in its own way and playing a constructive role for consolidating the ceasefire agreement and advancing the peaceful settlement of the dispute.

"China carries out normal defense cooperation with all ASEAN countries, including Cambodia and Thailand," Guo said, stressing that attempt by individual Western media outlet to use such cooperation to sow discord between China and relevant country will never succeed.