China’s top diplomat has called on Afghanistan and Pakistan to pursue peaceful negotiations instead of military action as tensions between the neighboring nations continue to escalate.
During a telephone conversation on Friday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke with Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, emphasizing the need for diplomatic solutions over armed conflict, according to an official statement from China’s foreign ministry.
Wang stressed the importance of both nations maintaining composure and showing restraint while working toward immediate face-to-face negotiations. He advocated for an urgent ceasefire and emphasized that differences should be settled through diplomatic channels.
The Chinese foreign minister warned that continued military actions would only worsen the current crisis and heighten regional instability.
This diplomatic intervention follows Pakistan’s Friday bombing of a Kam Air fuel depot located near Kandahar airport in Afghanistan, representing a major escalation in what has become the most serious conflict between these neighbors in recent years. The attack occurred despite ongoing Chinese mediation efforts.
The two foreign ministers also discussed developments in Iran during their conversation, with Wang expressing Beijing’s readiness to collaborate with Afghanistan and other international partners to promote stability in Iran.
