China, Cambodia, and Thailand Sign Trilateral Roadmap in Yunnan
Tokyo, Japan – December 30, 2025
In a landmark diplomatic achievement for Beijing, high-level delegations from Cambodia and Thailand concluded a two-day summit in Yuxi City, Yunnan Province, on Monday.
Under the watchful eye of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the three nations finalized a trilateral “Peace Accord” designed to cement a fragile ceasefire and resolve one of the most volatile border disputes in the region.
This summit, held by the serene Fuxian Lake, marks a significant shift in regional power dynamics, as China successfully positioned itself as the primary mediator in a conflict that has displaced over half a million civilians and claimed more than 100 lives in the last month alone.
The Yunnan Consensus: A Three-Point Roadmap
The talks in Yunnan were the culmination of intensive “shuttle diplomacy” and followed a military-to-military ceasefire signed just 48 hours earlier at the border.
The resulting “Yunnan Consensus” outlines a three-point strategic roadmap for long-term stability.
First, all parties committed to a “no-reversal” ceasefire, meaning troop movements must remain frozen at current positions with no further reinforcements.
Second, the agreement mandates the restoration of “step-by-step” bilateral ties, focusing initially on humanitarian corridors.
Third, and perhaps most critically, the accord emphasizes the “rebuilding of mutual trust.” Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized that as “eternal neighbors,” Cambodia and Thailand must look ahead rather than dwell on historical grievances.
“Allowing the flames of war to be reignited is absolutely not what the people of the two countries want,” Wang stated during the closing press conference.
To facilitate this trust, China has pledged a 20-million-yuan ($2.8 million) emergency humanitarian aid package to assist in the resettlement of displaced villagers.
The 72-Hour Test and the Return of Prisoners
A pivotal clause in the new agreement involves the fate of 18 Cambodian soldiers who have been held in Thai custody since the outbreak of hostilities in July.
Under the terms of the Yunnan talks, Thailand has agreed to release these personnel provided the ceasefire holds for a continuous 72-hour period without “provocations or threats.”
This window is being viewed by international observers as the “litmus test” for the entire peace process.
Furthermore, the accord addresses the lethal legacy of landmines that litter the 500-mile shared border.
The three nations have agreed to form a “Joint Coordinating Task Force” to advance humanitarian de-mining operations.
This move is particularly significant for Thailand, which has long cited landmine placement as a primary security concern and a barrier to agricultural development in its eastern provinces.
Tackling the “Shadow War”: Cybercrime and Scams
While the border conflict was the primary focus, the Yunnan meeting produced a surprise “fourth pillar” of cooperation:
a joint crackdown on transnational crime. For the first time, Beijing, Phnom Penh, and Bangkok have formally linked border security to the suppression of “telecom and online scams.”
The regional “scam factories” have flourished in the chaos of the border zones, often operating under the protection of local warlords or corrupt officials.
By incorporating this into the peace accord, the three governments are signaling a shift toward a more holistic view of regional security.
This inclusion is a strategic win for China, which has been under domestic pressure to stop the flow of illicit funds and the kidnapping of its citizens into these high-tech crime syndicates.
Key Highlights of the Southeast Asian Peace Accord:
Ceasefire Consolidation:
A commitment to halt all hostilities and freeze troop deployments at current lines.
Humanitarian Corridor:
The immediate repatriation of over 500,000 displaced civilians on both sides of the border.
Landmine Clearance:
Establishment of a trilateral task force for joint de-mining operations along contested zones.
Prisoner Exchange:
A conditional 72-hour ceasefire window to trigger the release of 18 detained Cambodian soldiers.
Cybersecurity Pact:
A new commitment to dismantle transnational scam networks operating in border regions.
CJ Global Investigative Insight
Our investigative team in Yunnan has uncovered “exclusive secrets” regarding the venue of this summit. By choosing Yuxi City rather than Beijing, China intentionally signaled that this was a “neighborhood matter,” subtly distancing the process from Western influence.
Furthermore, internal documents suggest that the $2.8 million in Chinese aid is just the first installment of a much larger “Belt and Road” infrastructure package intended to turn the contested border zones into a joint “Special Economic Zone.”
This “peace through prosperity” approach aims to make the cost of renewed conflict too high for either side to bear.
As the first groups of displaced farmers begin to return to their fields under the watchful eyes of ASEAN observers, the “Southeast Asian Peace Accord” stands as a testament to the new era of Asian-led mediation.
