KABUL (Pajhwok): China has voiced its willingness to cement counter-terrorism and security cooperation with Afghanistan. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, according to Xinhua, also offered to help the conflict-devastated country strengthen its counter-terrorism capacity.
During a phone conversation with his Afghan counterpart Haneef Atmar, he promised China’s continued support for the government in Kabul. China would continue playing a leading role in the Afghan peace and reconciliation process, he said, asking all parties to implement relevant UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions to avoid a resurgence of terrorism in the country.
Wang also spoke with National Security Advisor Hamdullah Mohib Wang stressed China’s endorsement of the “Afghan-led, Afghan-owned” peace drive. With peace efforts underway, Wang stressed, all parties must demonstrate patience and goodwill. While urging a stop to violence, he called for creating a favorable environment for peace talks.
In response Atmar reaffirmed Afghanistan’s firm commitment to further strengthening its cooperative relations with China. He hoped the two countries would hold a strategic dialogue and communication on deepening bilateral, pragmatic and anti-terrorism cooperation as well as advancing regional cooperation. The foreign minister welcomed China’s strong support as well as humanitarian and development assistance to Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, with American and NATO forces leaving the country, China has offered to host intra-Afghan peace negotiations. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held out the offer in a telephone conversation with National Security Advisor Hamdullah Mohib.
In Beijing, a statement from the Foreign Ministry said: “The Chinese side is ready to facilitate intra-Afghan negotiations, including creating conditions for holding the talks in China.” Wang claimed the US decision to pull out its troops from Afghanistan — a process to be completed by September 11 — had led to uncertainty in in Afghanistan. The minister said: “Peace is a general trend, fully consistent with the fundamental and long-term interests of the Afghan people.
“It is also the common aspiration of the entire international community,” the statement quoted the foreign minister as saying. With peace efforts underway, Wang stressed, all parties must demonstrate patience and goodwill.
