28 January 1979

As the “Kampuchean People’s Revolutionary Council” states that it would maintain “existing diplomatic relations & was ready to establish new ones,” Australia says it “recognises” Kampuchea & will conduct diplomatic relations with whatever government in control in🇰🇭

Japan declines China’s request to jointly support the Khmer Rouge. China was invoking the🇨🇳-🇯🇵Friendship Treaty signed in August, in which both declared to oppose hegemony by any third nation in Asia – which China says Vietnam’s seeks with its invasion of🇰🇭

After two days of airstrikes and heavy fighting, Vietnam captures Kong Island, a former bastion of the Khmer Rouge. 22 vessels, which flew the flag of the Cambodian National Salvation Front, were spotted. https://t.co/LWIXvktnG3

Vietnam says Cambodia’s new administration has a foreign policy of peace, friendship & non-alignment and wants to have friendly relations with its neighbours. Salvation Front secretary Ros Samy says “We are ready to establish normal relations with China”.

The Khmer Rouge still hold the Phra Viharn Temple, which is virtually inaccessible from Cambodia but easily reached from Thailand. Thai sources say two helicopters brought supplies to the temple. Scattered fighting is reported from half a dozen areas in🇰🇭.