Illustration: Chen Xia/GT

Tensions have recently flared up along the Thailand-Cambodia border, drawing renewed international attention. China has been closely following developments and continues to encourage peace talks, demonstrating the sense of responsibility expected of a major power.

Thailand and Cambodia are both friendly neighbors of China and important members of ASEAN. The stability of their relations is crucial to regional peace. The current tensions along the border have already caused casualties, and the closure of the border has disrupted trade and the daily lives of residents in both countries.

The sound of artillery along the Thailand-Cambodia border is a stark reminder of the historical burdens many Asian countries still carry. Few neighboring countries in Asia are free of territorial or maritime disputes, most of which are rooted in colonial aggression and division. The conflict between Thailand and Cambodia can be traced back to French colonial expansion, and many of these historical issues remain unresolved.

What is particularly concerning is that some US media outlets are attempting to frame this regional conflict within the broader narrative of "China-US rivalry." CNN, for instance, describes Thailand as a "well-equipped US ally" and labels Cambodia as a "weaker adversary with strong China links," deliberately highlighting China-US antagonism and escalating tensions. This narrative ignores the colonial roots of the dispute, mentioning the historical context only in passing while devoting disproportionate attention to military comparisons. Such reporting dangerously oversimplifies a complex regional issue by portraying it as a "proxy conflict" between major powers.

The US media's agenda-driven coverage is, at its core, aimed at generating clicks and boosting traffic. However, it seriously distorts global understanding of the conflict. We must remain alert to the tendency of turning regional conflicts into global ideological confrontations and firmly oppose external forces exploiting such issues to interfere in Asian affairs.

For Asian countries, resolving border issues is part of a broader process of breaking free from the legacy of colonialism and the historical geopolitical maneuvering of great powers. The colonists' map cannot be the final ruling. China has always upheld a just and impartial position, advocating for the peaceful settlement of disputes through dialogue and consultation. This approach has proven effective in practice - China has peacefully resolved land boundary issues with 12 of its 14 neighboring countries.

Borders should serve as bridges of cooperation, not frontlines of confrontation. Until conflict is resolved, development must be prioritized, differences managed and tensions prevented from spilling over into broader relations, particularly affecting people's lives and economic progress. Conflict resolution should be integrated with regional development, replacing confrontation with cooperation.

History cannot be changed, but the future can be reshaped. Asian countries must collectively emerge from the shadow of colonialism and rely on Asian wisdom to address Asian problems - free from external interference and misleading narratives. It is essential to move beyond zero-sum thinking and pursue a path of peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit. Only through continued collaboration and deepening mutual trust can the burden of sovereignty disputes be eased, paving the way for an effective regional security architecture and, ultimately, peace talks between Thailand and Cambodia, contributing to lasting peace and prosperity in Asia.