Foreign ministers of China, Cambodia, Thailand discuss Cambodia-Thailand border tensions

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi discussed the recent border tensions between Cambodia and Thailand with visiting Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn and Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa at an informal tea gathering on the sidelines of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Anning City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, on Thursday.

Noting that neither Cambodia nor Thailand wishes to see the border conflict continue and that both sides are ready to resume dialog and improve relations, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Anning offers a timely opportunity for the two countries to send out a message of peace and harmony.

Wang emphasized that China supports direct dialog between Cambodia and Thailand to clear up misunderstandings, rebuild mutual trust and restore normal exchanges and cooperation, backs full implementation of the recent consensus reached at the extraordinary meeting of the General Border Committee so as to consolidate the current ceasefire on the ground, endorses ASEAN in playing its due role and in seeking a proper solution in the "ASEAN way" and advocates prompt reopening of the border crossings in response to the wishes of both peoples.

Wang said China stands ready, at the request of both sides, to assist in demining and other humanitarian tasks along the border of the two countries.

Citing an old Chinese saying - brothers may quarrel at home, yet they unite against external threats - Wang expressed confidence that the two neighbors will manage their differences and jointly tackle global challenges, a course that will be welcomed by their peoples and applauded by countries in the region.

Both foreign ministers thanked China for facilitating the dialog and highly commended its constructive role in de-escalation and promoting dialog.

They underscored the value of peace and good-neighborliness, reaffirmed their commitment to actively implementing the ceasefire and pledged to make full use of existing mechanisms to resolve the dispute peacefully.

The three ministers agreed to keep close and flexible contact going forward.

The central parity rate of the Chinese currency renminbi, or the yuan, weakened 14 pips to 7.0078 against the U.S. dollar Friday, according to the China Foreign Exchange Trade System.

In China's spot foreign exchange market, the yuan is allowed to rise or fall by 2 percent from the central parity rate each trading day.

The central parity rate of the yuan against the U.S. dollar is based on a weighted average of prices offered by market makers before the opening of the interbank market each business day.