China Mediates Pakistan-Afghanistan Conflict, Calls For Ceasefire

BEIJING (Web Desk) – China said on Monday that its special envoy had spent a week mediating between Pakistan and Afghanistan, urging an immediate ceasefire following deadly cross-border clashes.

Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been high for months, after dozens were killed during fighting in October last year. Islamabad has accused Afghanistan of harboring militants from the Pakistani Taliban, responsible for a series of deadly attacks in Pakistan, as well as members of a local Islamic State offshoot. Afghan Taliban authorities deny these allegations.

China, one of Pakistan’s closest regional partners, also describes itself as a “friendly neighbour” of Afghanistan and has consistently acted as a mediator. “China has consistently mediated the conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan through its own channels,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said during a regular briefing.

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China’s foreign ministry confirmed that its special envoy for Afghan affairs, Yue Xiaoyong, visited Pakistan and Afghanistan from March 7 to 14. In Afghanistan, Yue met Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and the commerce and industry minister. In Pakistan, he held talks with high-level officials, including Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch.

According to China, Yue urged both sides to exercise calm and restraint, implement an immediate ceasefire, and resolve differences through dialogue.

Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a call with Muttaqi on Friday, pledging to continue “making active efforts” to ease tensions and reconcile the two neighbours. “The use of force will only complicate the situation and threaten regional peace and stability,” Wang said, according to the official readout.