China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called on Pakistan and Afghanistan to seek peaceful resolutions to their disputes through dialogue rather than resorting to force. As tensions escalate between the two neighboring countries, Wang emphasized the importance of restraint and an immediate ceasefire during a phone conversation with Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, as reported by China's foreign ministry on Friday.
Highlighting the need for both sides to maintain calm and actively engage in defusing tensions through direct communication, Wang urged the nations to exercise restraint and engage in face-to-face discussions promptly to address their differences. He cautioned that escalating the use of force would only exacerbate the situation and heighten tensions, emphasizing that regional stability hinges on cooperation rather than confrontation.
Describing Afghanistan and Pakistan as inseparable brothers and neighbors, Wang underscored China's impartial stance on the conflict between the two countries and its ongoing efforts to mediate and ease tensions. He mentioned that China's special envoy on Afghan affairs was facilitating dialogue between the nations and reiterated the importance of maintaining composure, pursuing a ceasefire, and resolving disagreements through peaceful dialogue.
Expressing China's readiness to support reconciliation efforts, Wang reiterated China's commitment to actively contributing to achieving peace and détente between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong echoed this sentiment in a social media post, emphasizing China's willingness to play a constructive role in fostering reconciliation between the two nations.
In response, Afghan Foreign Minister Muttaqi expressed gratitude to China for its mediation efforts and stressed the Afghan people's desire for peace and development after enduring years of conflict. He assured Wang that Afghanistan aspired to be a force for regional peace, emphasizing its commitment to not allowing its territory to be used for attacks on neighboring countries. Muttaqi reiterated Afghanistan's stance of seeking mutual trust and friendly coexistence with neighboring nations, emphasizing a desire for dialogue and cooperation to resolve issues.
Muttaqi also expressed hope for China to play a greater role in regional diplomacy, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and consultation in conflict resolution. The two officials also discussed the situation in Iran, with Wang reaffirming China's willingness to collaborate with the international community, including Afghanistan, to promote peace and stability in the region. Wang assured Muttaqi of Beijing's commitment to working with international partners to help bring stability to Iran.
