Tea Seiha, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, called on all countries involved in current conflicts to employ a culture of dialogue and diplomatic mechanisms to resolve their disagreements, rather than the threat or use of force. Enhancing communication, he said, is the best pathway to creating the kind of stability needed for development.

Seiha was addressing the first plenary session of the 10th Beijing Xiangshan Forum in China on October 30. The forum, held from October 29 to 31, focused on global cooperation.

According to the defence ministry, the three-day forum was attended by defence leaders from more than 60 countries from Europe, Africa, Asia and the ASEAN bloc.

Seiha explained that the world has reached an unprecedented turning point and is in a state of uncertainty while facing security challenges and geopolitical changes. He warned that geopolitical rivalries were heating up between the superpowers, and were threatening the world’s security, peace and prosperity.

He called on the international community to use a culture of dialogue and diplomacy to resolve disputes, noting that Cambodia had hard-won experience in the importance of doing so.

Seiha urged all parties in conflict to establish better communication within the framework of mutual respect, in order to maintain the indispensable peace needed for stability and development.

“Cambodia does not support the use of force or threats from one state to another. Cambodia remains committed to strengthening and expanding cooperation with all nations in the world through bilateral, regional and international frameworks for the cause of global peace and stability,” he said.

“Cambodia will continue to follow the path of an independent and neutral foreign policy based on law, mutual respect and adherence to the principles of both the UN and ASEAN charters. Our goal is to enhance national interests, strengthen existing friendships and promote new friendships,” he added.

In addition to his calls for peace, Seiha suggested that the international community provide financial and technical support to Cambodia so it can achieve its goal of becoming mine-free by 2025. The Kingdom would also like to see more participation from the international community, especially the superpowers, to raise awareness of the dangers of landmines, a hidden weapon which he said threatens humanity long after a war is over.

Seiha was also scheduled to conduct several meetings on the sidelines of the forum, with bilateral meetings organised with the defence ministers of Vietnam, Laos, Singapore and several other countries.

Yang Peou, secretary-general of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, echoed the appeals, saying war can and should be ended through negotiations. Whether state-to-state or a civil war, peace requires the use of diplomatic channels and the establishment of dialogue between the opponents.

“This appeal is not a reversal of global trends – we know war requires diplomatic dialogue to end. Unfortunately, some superpowers take advantage of crises or wars, and some nations do not value the diplomatic perspective or political messages of small countries like Cambodia,” he said.

Peou added that diplomatic mechanisms are crucial to resolving disputes, although the circumstances, approaches and attitudes may need to be adjusted according to the type of conflict and the parties involved, as was the case in Cambodia.

Ro Vannak, a geopolitical analyst, agreed that a culture of dialogue and diplomacy should play a central role in reducing conflict or preventing war, but that it only works when international systems are strong and international law is applied.

He highlighted that such systems could be fragile, as in the case of Russia’s war of aggression on Ukraine, as well the ongoing battles between Israel and Palestine-based Hamas, due to other powers vying for influence.

Vannak believes that Seiha’s appeals are an excellent application of diplomacy, but suggested that they may not carry much international political weight, as some superpowers appear to be focused on their own national interests. He warned that when peace does not serve their interests, the flames of war will continue to burn.