China’s ‘ironclad friendship’ with Cambodia

August 27, 2026

China’s ‘ironclad friendship’ with Cambodia, is subordinate to Beijing’s national interests, implying that Phnom Penh should view friendship as a diplomatic instrument instead of insurance against territorial loss. Artillery, rockets and airstrikes began along the Cambodia-Thailand border on July 24, last year – a test of Cambodia’s ‘ironclad friendship’ with China. It became more severe when the fighting between Cambodia and Thailand again started on December 27. Despite the tensions between the two nations, China did not endorse Cambodia’s territorial claims and did not condemn Thailand’s actions. Cambodia and Thailand are and will always be each other’s neighbours. Both countries are China’s friends and neighbours as well. Maintaining good-neighbourliness and mutual trust and properly managing differences serves the two countries’ China was saddened by the casualties inflicted on both sides and expressed hope that the two nations will bear in mind the interests of the two peoples, cherish peace and good-neighbourliness, exercise calm and restraint, reach a ceasefire as soon as possible and settle differences peacefully through dialogue and consultation. The spokesperson also described Cambodia and Thailand as important members of ASEAN. Beijing’s diplomatic rhetoric of friendship is subordinate to the national interest. Cambodia is still valuable as it provides political alignment, strategic access, and diplomatic support. Thailand, however, is more economically significant, more influential in mainland Southeast Asia and has a significant defence relationship with China.