Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that the issues between Afghanistan and Pakistan can only be resolved through dialogue and consultation.
“The use of force would only complicate the situation and intensify the contradictions, which would be of no benefit to either side and threatens regional peace and stability,” Wang said.
He made the remarks in a phone conversation with Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi at the latter’s request.
Muttaqi thanked China for its active mediation efforts between Afghanistan and Pakistan, noting that the Afghan people, who have suffered greatly from war, cherish opportunities for peace and development. He emphasized that Afghanistan wants to be a source of regional peace rather than unrest, reaffirming that its territory will not be used to attack neighboring countries.
Afghanistan does not wish to engage in military conflict with other countries and looks forward to mutual trust and friendly coexistence with its neighbors, Muttaqi added. He also expressed hope that China, as a major country and a friendly neighbor, will play a greater role in facilitating dialogue.
For his part, Wang said that “the more volatile the external environment becomes, the more regional countries should strengthen unity and cooperation, overcome difficulties together, and forge a path of cooperative security and common security.” He described Afghanistan and Pakistan as inseparable brothers and neighbors that cannot be moved away from each other.
Wang reaffirmed that China maintains an objective and impartial stance on the conflict and noted that the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s special envoy on Afghan affairs is shuttling between the two countries to mediate. He urged both sides to remain calm, exercise restraint, hold face-to-face exchanges soon, achieve a ceasefire, and resolve differences through dialogue.
China is willing to continue active efforts to help achieve reconciliation and détente between Afghanistan and Pakistan, Wang added. The two sides also exchanged views on the situation in Iran, with Wang reaffirming China’s principled position to work with the international community, including Afghanistan, to play a constructive role in pursuing peace.