Thai-Cambodia Border Clash Rekindles as US-China Rivalry Looms Over ASEAN
Despite an announcement of a ceasefire by US President Donald Trump, armed clashes have flared up again on the 817-kilometer-long border between Thailand and Cambodia. A Chinese Foreign Ministry statement was more cautious, calling for calm without taking sides or directly intervening. The episode highlights the major US and Chinese interests in the region, as well as the significant — but not unlimited — influence that Beijing and Washington are able to exercise over the member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). One tactic that small and medium powers have traditionally relied on when caught between great powers is ‘hedging’. Is this still a sustainable option for Southeast Asian countries? And what are China and the US’ plans for the region? In this episode, we discuss the Thai-Cambodia conflict, the US-China rivalry and the lessons for ASEAN members and other small and medium powers. *Recorded on December 17, 2025 at 3pm Taiwan Standard Time Host: Wen-Ti Sung Producer: Chinyeh Chiang Guests: Chiew-Ping Hoo - East Asian International Relations (EAIR) Caucus Co-Founder Charles Wu - National Chengchi University Department of Diplomacy Professor and Chair
