China hopes Afghanistan and Pakistan will resolve disputes through dialogue

Beijing — China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated on Monday (16 March) that his country hopes Afghanistan and Pakistan will remain calm and exercise restraint, engage in face-to-face dialogue as soon as possible, achieve a ceasefire quickly, and resolve their differences and disputes through dialogue.

Lin made the statement whilst responding to questions about the shuttle diplomacy China is conducting between Afghanistan and Pakistan, which recently became involved in military conflict.

“Afghanistan and Pakistan are and will always be neighbours to one another,” Lin said.

He noted that issues between the two nations can only be resolved through dialogue and consultation. He stated that the urgent priority at present is to prevent escalation of the conflict and return to the negotiating table as quickly as possible.

Lin mentioned that in recent days, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi has held separate telephone conversations with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi.

Furthermore, Lin stated that China’s Foreign Ministry’s special envoy for Afghan affairs has been conducting shuttle diplomacy between Afghanistan and Pakistan to serve as a mediator. China’s embassies in Pakistan and Afghanistan have maintained close communication with both sides, the spokesperson added.

According to him, both nations have expressed appreciation for China’s active mediation efforts.

“China hopes both sides will remain calm and exercise restraint, engage in face-to-face dialogue as soon as possible, achieve a ceasefire quickly, and resolve their differences and disputes through dialogue,” Lin said.

He stated that China will continue to actively work to facilitate reconciliation and ease tension between the two sides.