Cambodia Reaffirms Diplomacy Over Military Action in Border Disputes

PHNOM PENH, June 29, 2026 (KPT) – Cambodia remains committed to resolving border issues through peaceful negotiations and international law while avoiding military confrontation, government spokesman Pen Bona said Monday. He stressed the government would continue to exercise “maximum restraint” in safeguarding Cambodia’s territorial integrity, noting that armed conflict would harm border communities and undermine macroeconomic stability. Past clashes, he said, had damaged tourism and forced governments to divert spending from social and economic development to military needs. Pen Bona also urged stronger support for locally produced goods, saying improved quality and competitiveness were essential for Cambodian manufacturers to win consumer confidence and reduce reliance on imports. Long-term resilience, he added, depended on building trust in domestic products. He cited remarks by Prime Minister Hun Manet during a June 27 meeting with small and medium-sized enterprises, where the premier highlighted challenges facing the government in its seventh mandate, including border and sovereignty issues, transnational crime and global economic uncertainty. Hun Manet said the government’s priority was to protect Cambodia’s territorial integrity, independence and the well-being of its citizens. The spokesman also referred to comments by Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) president Hun Sen during the party’s 75th anniversary celebrations. Hun Sen said the CPP’s consistency over 47 years and close ties with the people had underpinned its electoral success and the country’s development. The party, he added, had consistently won national and subnational elections because of public support and its ability to lead Cambodia toward continued growth.