China’s Vice-Minister of Public Security, Liu Zhongyi, led a delegation to visit Cambodia’s Poipet International Border Checkpoint on Sunday, following talks with key local officials on cross-border security issues.
Poipet has long been notorious for its casinos and gambling dens – both legal and illegal, given its proximity to Bangkok and Pattaya.
While the nation doesn’t share a border with China, the recent rise in scam activities in Cambodia has prompted concern from Beijing, especially due to its nationals being lured into working in the scam centers, operating them, or being targeted by them.
According to media reports, Liu met with key officials including the Chairman of the Provincial Council and Governor of the province, as well as top heads of provincial security and administration.
These discussions focused on the fight against online fraud and illegal border crossings, with both sides committing to strengthening cooperation on cross-border crimes.
On the same day as the Poipet border visit, Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation received China’s Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, aimed at enhancing their “diamond cooperation” in both security and diplomatic areas.
At the end of February, Thailand’s Prime Minister chaired a meeting to target efforts on call center gangs and online crimes, including the ‘Seal Stop Safe’ border sealing policy. Under the policy, some three Chinese nationals were detained in February alone related to call center gangs.
Thailand’s Prime Minister had previously met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, to discuss issues including safety of Chinese citizens visiting Thailand due to the threat from scam operations.
Thailand has also floated the idea of building a wall along part of its border with Cambodia to prevent illegal crossings, after a raid in Poipet rescued at least 215 people held in a scam compound. A previously proposed wall segment targeted a 55-kilometer segment centered on the Sa Kaeo-Poipet area.
