China announced on Friday that negotiations between Afghanistan and Pakistan are making steady progress. This development follows reports that the two South Asian neighbors have been meeting to address their most severe conflict since the Taliban regained control in 2021.
Sharing a western border with both countries, China has actively sought to mediate the dispute. It has engaged in telephone discussions with the foreign ministers of Afghanistan and Pakistan and dispatched a special envoy for visits in March to facilitate dialogue.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated at a daily press briefing that both Pakistan and Afghanistan value and welcome China’s mediation efforts. He emphasized that both parties are willing to resume talks, describing this as a positive step forward. Mao did not specify the location of the current discussions, although previous meetings have taken place in the northwestern Chinese city of Urumqi.
China continues to promote and support the negotiations by maintaining close communication with both sides, aiming to create favorable conditions and provide a platform for dialogue. Mao added that further updates from the three countries involved would be shared in due course.
The conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan, which erupted in October, has resulted in numerous casualties on both sides, with Afghan civilians suffering the most. Islamabad accuses the Afghan Taliban of sheltering Islamist militants responsible for attacks within Pakistan. Kabul, however, denies these allegations, asserting that the militancy issue is an internal matter for Pakistan.
