Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Chanvirakul are scheduled to attend the opening session of the World AI Conference 2026 (WAIC) in Shanghai on July 17 at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Hun Manet’s July 15-17 visit includes Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, Defence Minister Tea Seiha and Council for the Development of Cambodia First Vice-Chairman Sun Chanthol. Thai reports said Anutin will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow.
During the visit, both prime ministers are expected to meet separately with Xi and Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
Cambodia’s Foreign Ministry said the visit reflects the two countries’ commitment to strengthening their long-standing friendship and expanding mutually beneficial cooperation.
The ministry added that the visit would help advance the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of Cooperation, strengthen the Diamond Cooperation Framework and build an all-weather Cambodia-China Community with a Shared Future in the new era.
Thailand’s Foreign Ministry also said the visit aims to further strengthen the Thailand-China Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership for the mutual benefit of both countries.
Border dispute remains unresolved
The Shanghai visit comes as Cambodia and Thailand have not resumed formal border negotiations since December.
The two prime ministers last met during the 3rd Asean Future Forum in Hanoi in early June, where they posed for photographs but did not hold discussions on the ongoing border dispute.
Analysts believe China could use its position as a major trading partner of both countries to encourage renewed dialogue and a peaceful resolution.
Analyst calls for stronger Chinese role
Kin Phea, director of the International Relations Institute at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said the main challenge to resolving the dispute lies with those who ‘actually hold power’ in Thailand.
He said the Thai military had not implemented measures agreed upon by the civilian government with Cambodia and had continued actions that Cambodia considers encroachments on its sovereign territory.
Kin Phea urged China to play a more active role by encouraging both countries to resume negotiations and resolve the dispute peacefully through diplomacy, consultations and international law.
He said such intentions were reflected in the Chinese-brokered Fuxian Consensus reached in December 2025.
He also said Thailand should honour the consensus by withdrawing its troops from occupied areas, returning to negotiations and working with the Joint Boundary Commission without further delay.
According to Kin Phea, several parts of Cambodia remain under Thai occupation, leaving about 20,000 Cambodian civilians unable to return to their homes.
