Thailand has lodged concerns with China over the latter’s recent delivery of tanks to Cambodia, citing the fragility of a ceasefire between the Southeast Asian neighbors following last year’s deadly border clashes.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul raised the concerns with Chinese President Xi Jinping in a meeting on July 17, Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow told reporters on Monday during the Thai delegation’s visit to China.
“Our concern lies in Cambodia’s reporting of the tank delivery. At this time, relations are delicate, and the ceasefire is fragile,” Sihasak said. “Presenting the tank delivery in a way that benefits Cambodia could not be beneficial for the current Thai-Cambodian situation.”
The concerns came after Thai authorities last month said 39 Chinese T-59D battle tanks had been delivered to Cambodia as part of an existing joint military training agreement, adding that the hardware didn’t seem to have been moved to the border.
China has assured Thailand that Chinese-made military equipment supplied to Cambodia will not be used to harm Thailand, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said after holding bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday.
Speaking after the meeting in Shanghai, Anutin said he raised Thailand’s concerns over China’s delivery of military hardware, particularly tanks, to Cambodia.
According to Anutin, Chinese officials acknowledged the concerns of the Thai government and public, explaining that the tank procurement had been agreed long before the recent tensions between Thailand and Cambodia.
China said it delayed the delivery during the period of conflict because of the sensitivity of the situation, but was ultimately obliged to fulfill the contract.
“China assured us that, under the terms agreed between the two sides, the military equipment delivered to Cambodia will not be used to cause any harm to Thailand,” Anutin said.
The prime minister said Xi also reaffirmed China’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Thailand in areas including security, economic development, technology transfer and personnel training.
On regional security, Xi offered to facilitate dialogue between Thailand and Cambodia to help restore good relations and encourage both sides to find a mutually acceptable solution, Anutin said.
Anutin reiterated Thailand’s position that it does not seek conflict but has a responsibility to protect its sovereignty and the safety of its people.
He also said China had offered to host the upcoming Lancang-Mekong Cooperation leaders’ meeting instead of Thailand to avoid placing member states, particularly Cambodia, in an awkward position amid bilateral tensions.
During the meeting, Anutin also conveyed a message from King Maha Vajiralongkorn inviting Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, to pay an official state visit to Thailand. According to the prime minister, Xi accepted the invitation in principle and said he would visit when both sides’ schedules permit.
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