China’s special envoy for Afghanistan Yue Xiaoyong holds talks with acting Foreign Minister of the Taliban government Amir Khan Muttaqi in Kabul.
China’s special envoy for Afghanistan, Yue Xiaoyong, holds talks with the Taliban government’s acting foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, in Kabul. Photo: @taahir_khan/X
ISLAMABAD:
China has intervened diplomatically to help calm current tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, urging both sides to resolve their differences through dialogue as cross-border frictions continue to strain ties between the two neighbors.
According to a statement issued by the Afghan Foreign Ministry, China’s special envoy for Afghanistan Yue Xiaoyong visited Kabul on Sunday and held talks with the Taliban government’s acting foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to discuss bilateral cooperation as well as the deteriorating security situation in the region.
During the meeting, the Chinese envoy emphasized Beijing’s desire for tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan to be resolved through diplomacy and dialogue. He stressed that avoiding further escalation was important for regional stability and security.
Yue said China was in contact with both Kabul and Islamabad and was actively working to help reduce tensions between the two sides. The statement noted that Beijing supports peaceful engagement between the two neighbors and believes disputes should be resolved through diplomatic channels.
The visit comes at a time when Pakistan-Afghanistan relations have reached the lowest point and both sides have exchanged intense fire since the last 10 days. Pakistan continues to attack targets inside Afghanistan through air and drone strikes.
Officials said Islamabad was left with no option but to resort to cross-border counter-terrorism operations after the Taliban regime failed to control terrorist groups attacking Pakistan.
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Islamabad has repeatedly claimed that terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil carry out attacks inside Pakistan, particularly the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Pakistani officials say the presence of such groups poses a serious threat to the country’s security and have urged Afghan Taliban authorities to take action against them.
The Taliban regime, however, has always rejected the accusation that it allows terrorist groups to operate from its territory. Instead, Kabul accused Pakistan of carrying out military attacks inside Afghan territory and violating its sovereignty.
During his meeting with the Chinese envoy, Muttaqi shared Kabul’s position regarding what the Afghan side called “aggression” by the Pakistani army against Afghan territory. He reiterated that the Islamic Emirate gives priority to resolving disputes through peaceful means.
Read more: 13 terrorists killed in intelligence-based operations across KP, says army
At the same time, he stressed that Afghanistan considers the defense of its territory and its people a legitimate right.
China, which maintains close ties with both Pakistan and Afghanistan, has increasingly played a diplomatic role in fostering dialogue between the two countries.
Beijing has strategic interests in regional stability, particularly due to its investments and connectivity projects linked to the Belt and Road Initiative and its security concerns along its western borders.
Diplomatic observers say China’s commitment reflects growing concerns that prolonged tensions between Islamabad and Kabul could destabilize the region and undermine efforts aimed at economic connectivity and security cooperation.
