Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a phone conversation with Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Muttaqi at his request. Wang Yi stated that the more turbulent the external environment becomes, the more regional countries should strengthen unity and cooperation; China is willing to continue making efforts to help Afghanistan and Pakistan achieve reconciliation and ease tensions.
According to a statement released by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi spoke with Muttaqi by phone on the 13th. Both sides exchanged views on the Afghanistan-Pakistan conflict and the situation in Iran.
Wang Yi said that the more turbulent the external environment becomes, the more regional countries should strengthen unity and cooperation, choosing a path of cooperative and common security. Afghanistan and Pakistan are inseparable brothers and neighbors that cannot be moved; any issues between the two countries can only be resolved through dialogue and consultation.
Wang Yi pointed out that the Chinese Foreign Ministry's Special Envoy for Afghan Affairs is currently shuttling between the two countries to mediate, and expressed hope that both sides will remain calm and exercise restraint. China is willing to continue making efforts to help Afghanistan and Pakistan achieve reconciliation and ease tensions.
Military tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan escalated at the end of February. The conflict began when Pakistan launched airstrikes inside Afghanistan, claiming to target militant facilities. Afghanistan subsequently accused Pakistan of violating its sovereignty, retaliating along the border between the two countries. These actions caused sporadic clashes over several months to rapidly escalate.