The youth participants take a group photo at the Third China-Cambodia-Thailand Track II Dialogue held in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, on Oct. 11. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
The Third China-Cambodia-Thailand Track II Dialogue concluded on Sunday in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, with outcomes from four key working groups. The economy and livelihood group reached consensus on calling for a phased, category-specific reopening of border crossings, restoring cross-border logistics, and establishing a Track-II information channel on trade and logistics.
Hosted by the China Foreign Affairs University and guided by the five-point consensus from the Fuxian Meeting of trilateral foreign ministers in December 2025, the dialogue brought together nearly 100 participants, including think-tank scholars, business representatives, civil society and humanitarian organizations, and university students from the three countries.
Sun Jisheng, vice-president of CFAU, told China Daily on the sidelines of the event that the third dialogue focused on preventing tensions from escalating again and strengthening the foundation for lasting peace. She emphasized that resolving disputes and preventing spillover effects benefits not only the involved nations but the entire region.
Pou Sothirak, former Cambodian minister of industry, mines and energy, highlighted the severe impact of border closures on local residents and Cambodia's economy, affecting trade, investment, labor, tourism, and supply chains. Natjaree Petruang, a researcher from Thailand's International Institute for Trade and Development, reported a significant decline in trading between Thailand and Cambodia, with Thai exports down by 75 percent and imports by 39 percent year-on-year in the first eight months of 2026.
Through candid discussions, the economy and livelihood group acknowledged that prolonged border tensions have inflicted tangible losses on Cambodia's and Thailand's border trade, labor income, tourism and national macroeconomic performance. These tensions also risk destabilizing regional industry and supply chains under the ASEAN+1 free trade network and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership framework.
The group's 11-point consensus document outlined urgent needs for local residents and also proposed a regular dialogue between the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Trade of Thailand and protection for migrant workers and border residents to ensure that economic recovery aligns with humanitarian priorities.
Participants from both Thailand and Cambodia commended China's role in their discussions and reaffirmed that dialogue and consultation are practical ways to address differences. "This reflects a long-standing tradition in China's diplomatic practice, including how it interacts with neighbors, that earns their trust and provides a platform for them to communicate," Sun noted.
The other three working groups operated with similar pragmatism. Participants in the international law group proposed withdrawing heavy weapons from border areas as a pragmatic confidence-building measure for reconciliation. The public health group unveiled a cooperation plan addressing mental health and psychosocial support for humanitarian aid and border health issues. Meanwhile, the youth group issued a peace initiative, suggesting an annual rotating youth peace ambassador training camp, along with a diplomatic mediation training camp and digital capacity-building courses.
When asked about the outcomes, Sun remarked that the ideas proposed by participants offer the university a range of options and help set goals and directions for future efforts.
"Some ideas will be pursued based on their feasibility, practicality, and potential for results," Sun said. "Their implementation will depend on the situation on the ground."
Thailand's former foreign minister, Kasit Piromya, praised China's mediation efforts and CFAU's role in Track II diplomacy. He told China Daily that three rounds of dialogue are sufficient for CFAU to draw sound conclusions and provide practical recommendations.
At the closing ceremony, Sun highlighted that the constructive dialogue sends a positive message to the world that communication can help resolve differences, and interaction can build trust.
