Cambodia And Thailand CIPCC Participants Extend National Day Greetings To Malaysia, Express Gratitude

By Rohani Mohd Ibrahim

BEIJING, Aug 30 (Bernama) -- Cambodian and Thai participants in the ongoing China International Press Communication Centre (CIPCC) programme here commended Malaysia’s constructive role in fostering peace and understanding in their countries’ border dispute, while extending their well wishes to Malaysia on its upcoming 68th National Day.

Cambodian Faninn In from the Information Ministry expressed her deep gratitude to Malaysia, especially to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, as the rotating chairman of ASEAN, for initiating and coordinating efforts to address the Cambodian–Thailand border dispute, particularly the ceasefire.

“I congratulate Malaysia on its upcoming National Day on August 31. Wishing Malaysia and Malaysians a proud and happy National Day with peace, development and prosperity,” she added. 

Thailand participant Charissa Suk-Ieam, a journalist with Matichon Thai language daily,  said  Malaysia’s role in mediating the Thailand-Cambodia border crisis reflects its commitment to fulfilling its responsibilities as ASEAN chairman. 

“This mediation has facilitated bilateral dialogue between the two countries for conflict resolution and contained the dispute within the ASEAN framework, preventing it from being exploited as a proxy arena by external powers,” she said. 

She also extended her wishes to Malaysia on its National Day, noting that self-determination, purposeful national development, and sustained economic growth have transformed the country into a thriving nation with a strong foundation.

Charissa, along with a Bernama representative and 100 other media representatives globally, are currently participating in the CIPCC programme from August to December 2025 under the China Public Diplomacy Association (CPDA).

The programme provides foreign journalists with the opportunity to gain a comprehensive understanding of China’s society, development and international engagement. 

On July 28, Prime Minister Anwar, in his capacity as the current ASEAN Chair, convened a special meeting at the official residence of the Malaysian Prime Minister – the Seri Perdana Complex – in Putrajaya, attended by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand’s Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai.

The two-and-a-half-hour meeting was their first face-to-face encounter since tensions erupted between the two neighbours on July 24. 

Also in attendance were the United States (US) Ambassador to Malaysia, Edgard Kagan, and the Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia, Ouyang Yujing.

The US was a co-organiser of the meeting, while China served as an observer to promote a peaceful resolution to the ongoing situation.

At a joint press conference after the meeting, Anwar announced that Thailand and Cambodia had agreed to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire amid rising tensions along their disputed border.

Cambodia and Thailand are actively working to establish lasting peace along their 817-kilometre border, which has been a source of contention and has led to military confrontations in the Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear border areas.

-- BERNAMA