Cambodia-Thailand Border Tensions Escalate as China Arms Cambodia
Tensions along the Cambodia-Thailand border have escalated, with Cambodia adopting a more assertive stance around the Preah Vihear temple. This has involved road construction, fortification, and a significant inflow of ammunition, including Chinese-made ordnance. Independent monitors have confirmed the use of Chinese ammunition, with civilian casualties and damage to non-military sites reported.
The escalation comes amidst deepening defence ties between Cambodia and China, with Beijing supplying substantial military equipment and aid since 2011. The latest conflict, which ended within five days, saw munitions moved north towards the contested frontier with Thailand. Both nations traded accusations over who initiated the hostilities, with Thailand retaliating with F-16 air strikes.
Investigations by The New York Times revealed that Chinese military transports delivered rockets, artillery shells, and mortars to Cambodia in June. These included ammunition for Soviet-era BM-21 multiple-rocket launchers and Chinese multiple-launch systems, as well as shells for SH-1 self-propelled howitzers. Despite publicly brokering a ceasefire, China continues to supply ammunition, carrying strategic and reputational risks.
The conflict resulted in dozens of deaths and hundreds of thousands displaced. While the exact origin of the hostilities remains disputed, the flow of Chinese ammunition to Cambodia has undeniably fuelled the escalation. As Cambodia's military capabilities grow, so too do the potential consequences of any future conflicts in the region.
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