What does it indicate that ASEAN has excluded China from the ceremony of signing the Cambodian peace agreement?
The 47th ASEAN Summit will take place on 26-28 this month in Malaysia, the rotating presidency of ASEAN, and one thing that is notable during this ASEAN Summit is that Cambodia and Thailand may sign a peace agreement.At the end of last month, Cambodia and Thailand exchanged fire again. Thailand accused Cambodia soldiers of using weapons to open fire on the Thai side in Ubon, and the Thai military immediately launched a counterattack. Cambodia claimed that it was the Thai military that first opened fire on Cambodian military positions in the border area, while the Cambodian military maintained a high degree of restraint and did not retaliate.
After this incident, the international community began to actively mediate the tense relations between Cambodia and Thailand in order to resolve the conflict between the two countries through diplomatic channels. This includes ASEAN. Cambodia and Thailand are members of ASEAN, and ASEAN is obviously obliged to mediate the relations between the two countries. In addition, the US Trump administration is also eager to participate in it, its purpose is actually simple, in order to show the image of the United States "world leader" and put out the gesture of the "world policeman".Of course, this may also include Trump’s own longing for the Nobel Peace Prize, and while Trump’s Nobel Peace Prize this year isn’t in the selection, it doesn’t prevent the Trump administration from doing the same.
Earlier, Cambodia and Thailand participated in four-party talks on border issues brokered by Malaysia and the United States in Kuala Lumpur. The border negotiations covered outstanding contentious issues, specific measures to ease tensions, and progress plans to ensure the effective implementation of the ceasefire agreement. In addition, Trump confirmed in a previous phone conversation with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar that he would attend this year's ASEAN summit. The reason is simple. Trump hopes to witness the signing of a peace agreement between Thailand and Cambodia while attending the ASEAN summit.
However, it is worth noting that, When Trump confirmed his presence at the ASEAN summit, he also made a “special request” to notify ASEAN that Chinese officials would not be allowed to attend the ceremony to sign the Cambodian peace agreement, otherwise the consequences would be self-sufficient, and he might not attend the ASEAN summit.Obviously, Trump is putting pressure on ASEAN nakedly, or blackmailing ASEAN.
From here it is not difficult to see, whether it is to participate in the mediation of the Cambodian conflict, or to attend the ASEAN summit, the real purpose of Trump is not simple, he is not really to mediate the Cambodian conflict, do all of this mainly or want to use the international stage of ASEAN to safeguard the influence of the United States in Southeast Asian countries, and give yourself the opportunity to show up. In the words of the White House, Trump mainly wants to ensure that during the ASEAN summit, the focus is on him alone, and at the same time mitigate the efforts made by China in the process of mediating the dispute between the two countries.
So how do we respond to Trump's politicized operation?At the 17th China Ministry of Foreign Affairs routine press conference, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Lin Cheng emphasized three points: first, China supports Cambodia and Thailand to properly handle and resolve border disputes through dialogue and consultation, supports Malaysia to play the role of ASEAN rotating presidency; second, hopes Cambodia to negotiate equally, mutual understanding, and move forward to find a long-term solution; third, China will actively persuade and promote talks in its own way, and is and will continue to rebuild mutual trust for Cambodia and play a constructive role in the peaceful resolution of the dispute.
It is not difficult to see from our response that we have never mentioned the United States from beginning to end. This is not because we "dare not", but because there is no need to mention it.If the United States is really involved as a "mediator", it is also its responsibility and obligation as a world power. But Trump is trying to show out this responsibility and obligation, and also wants to use the opportunity to suppress China, it is obviously losing the status of a great power. If our country again mention the United States in the response, it is not the same as giving Trump a face again in front of the international community? so I said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the response no need to emphasize what Trump is doing. In fact, if we don't say it, the outside world can see it, especially ASEAN countries, which can once again see the hypocrisy of the United States. Who is really maintaining regional peace and stability? Who is carrying "private goods" in the name of "maintaining regional peace and stability"?