China’s Foreign Ministry said Wednesday that Beijing supports efforts to improve relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan’s Taliban administration and to maintain regional peace and stability.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said both countries are China’s close neighbours and that Beijing “will continue to play a constructive role” in fostering dialogue and cooperation between them.
Responding to a question about China’s involvement in peace efforts between Pakistan and the Taliban, Guo said Beijing backs the strengthening of bilateral ties between the two sides.
He also condemned the recent suicide bombing in Islamabad, saying China “will continue to support Pakistan in combating terrorism, maintaining social stability and ensuring security.”
China has built increasingly close ties with the Taliban over the past four years and has handed control of the Afghan embassy in Beijing to the group’s representatives. At the same time, China remains one of Pakistan’s key strategic partners.
Earlier, as tensions between the Taliban and Pakistan rose, Beijing said it would continue to “play a constructive role in improving and developing relations” between the two neighbours.
