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Clashes at the Thai-Cambodian border in late June marked the second conflict this year to erupt near China’s borders. It followed a brief air war between Pakistan and India over contested Kashmir in early May.
On its periphery, two longer-running conflicts involve strategic partners of China: the civil war in Myanmar and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
As the largest military and political power in the Indo-Pacific region, China has a stake in regional security. When fighting breaks out near its borders, it takes particular interest. Below, Newsweek briefly outlines each recent or ongoing conflict and Beijing’s position on them.
### Myanmar Civil War
Armed resistance groups have battled Myanmar’s military since the February 2021 coup. The junta has killed over 7,000 civilians according to estimates by the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners. China shares a border with Myanmar, and the ongoing war disrupts Beijing’s significant business interests there.
The junta controls less than 20% of the country’s territory but benefits from continued Chinese military support, including armored vehicles, artillery, and fighter jets.
Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, stated in April:
> “China and Myanmar are friendly neighbors. We follow the principle of non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs, support Myanmar in safeguarding independence, sovereignty, national unity, and territorial integrity, and support various parties in Myanmar in carrying out friendly consultations toward political reconciliation.”
### Russia-Ukraine
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. The conflict primarily occurs within Ukraine but has also involved the Russian Far East city of Vladivostok. Ukrainian military intelligence claim responsibility for an attack on a military base near the Chinese border.
While Beijing frames itself as neutral, the United States and European Union have accused China of enabling Russia by allowing Chinese companies to supply its quasi-ally with civilian-military dual-use goods, including unmanned aerial vehicles, and by continuing to purchase Russian oil and gas, which helps Moscow’s wartime economy withstand heavy international sanctions.
In a news conference with German Foreign Minister Johann David Wadephul last month, China’s top diplomat Wang Yi said:
> “China’s position has been open and consistent, which includes promoting peace talks, not providing lethal weapons to parties in the conflict, and strictly controlling the export of dual-use articles, including drones.”
### Thailand-Cambodia
A fragile truce reached on July 28 between Thailand and Cambodia ended five days of hostilities that left 35 people dead and over 100 injured. The neighbors’ long-standing border tensions flared up again.
Cuba has one of the most pro-China governments in the Asia-Pacific, though Beijing maintains close ties with both countries and has urged restraint.
A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said:
> “China upholds a just and fair position, supports Cambodia and Thailand in enhancing communication and resolving differences properly, supports advancing political settlement through the ASEAN Way, and is ready to continue playing a constructive role for the peaceful settlement of border disputes between Cambodia and Thailand.”
### India-Pakistan
During and after four days of aerial clashes in early May over disputed Kashmir, reports suggest that China played a role. India’s defense minister accused Beijing of “providing all possible support” to Islamabad, noting that 81% of Pakistan’s military hardware acquired since 2020 came from China.
French intelligence allege that Chinese officials sought to hype weapons systems—such as the Chengdu J-10 fighter jet—by contrasting its performance with that of French-made Rafale jets during May’s aerial dogfights. This was done in a bid to present Chinese aircraft as superior.
A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, described India and Pakistan as “important neighbors” of China:
> “Over the past weeks and months, China has closely followed the developments between India and Pakistan, actively promoted talks for peace, and worked to maintain regional peace and stability.”
📚 Reading Comprehension Quiz
What is China's position on the ongoing conflict in Myanmar according to Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry?
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