Beijing, Jul 25 (Agency) Amid the rapidly worsening security situation in Afghanistan with the Taliban widening its footprint, China and Pakistan have agreed to work together to prevent the war-torn country from descending into a full-scale civil war. This was stated on Saturday, during a meeting between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his visiting Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi, in the Chinese city of Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province. The two sides called on all Afghan stakeholders to agree on a comprehensive ceasefire and work together to achieve a broad-based, inclusive and negotiated political settlement. According to a joint statement issued after the meeting, the third session of the China-Pakistan foreign ministers’ strategic dialogue, the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to facilitate and support an “Afghan-led and Afghan-owned” peace and reconciliation process for the early realisation of a peaceful, stable, united and prosperous Afghanistan, which would firmly combat terrorism and live in harmony with its neighbours.
“China and Pakistan decided to conduct joint action on the Afghan issue in a bid to prevent Afghanistan from descending into a full-scale civil war, and work for a real start in intra-Afghan negotiations that lasts and resolutely prevent Afghanistan from becoming a source of terrorism again,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry tweeted. In another tweet, highlighting the close brotherly ties between the two sides, the Foreign Ministry said: “It proved again that China and Pakistan are the most trustworthy good neighbours, good friends and good brothers to each other. The friendship between China and Pakistan is unbreakable.” Radio Pakistan quoted Qureshi as saying in a speech that Pakistan wants to see reconciliation and an inclusive government in Afghanistan. He said despite some harsh statements Pakistan has shown restraint for the larger interest of peace and stability in the region. The statement on Afghanistan comes as China on Wednesday announced that it has replaced its special envoy to Afghanistan. The present special envoy Liu Jian to Afghanistan is to be replaced by Yue Xiao Yong, the former Chinese Ambassador to Qatar, Jordan and Ireland. Qureshi also condemned the July 14 blast in a shuttle bus at Dasu area of Upper Kohistan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in which nine Chinese personnel were killed and 27 others were injured. A Chinese company is building a 4320-MW plant on the Indus river.
The Director General of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Lt Gen Faiz Hameed is in Beijing to meet Chinese officials in the wake of the Dasu blast. China has also rushed a team to Pakistan to investigate the July 14 blast. In his speech, the Pakistan Foreign Minister termed the attack in Dasu as cowardly, and added that “We will not allow anyone to sabotage the Pakistan-China relationship.” He said the China Pakistan Economic Corridor “is a clear manifestation of our intentions to upgrade our bilateral and strategic relationship,” Radio Pakistan quoted him as saying. Both sides expressed their resolve to expose the culprits and their reprehensible designs through the ongoing joint investigation, give exemplary punishment to the perpetrators, ensure comprehensive safety and security of the Chinese projects, nationals and institutions, and prevent recurrence of such incidents, Radio Pakistan said. In a tweet, Qureshi said: “CPEC has entered a new phase of development and reviewed progress including the New Gwadar Airport, 300 MW power plant, desalination plant and Gwadar Free Zone. We look forward to the 10th JCC meeting at earliest.”
During the talks Qureshi also raised the Kashmir issue. “Shared similar outlook for a peaceful, stable and prosperous South Asia and appreciate China’s unyielding support for Kashmir, reiterating dispute should be resolved through the UN Charter, relevant Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreements, opposing unilateral action,” Qureshi said in a tweet. The joint statement issued by both sides said that both sides agreed on the need to settle disputes and issues in the region through dialogue on the basis of equality and mutual respect. “The Pakistan side briefed the Chinese side on the deteriorating situation in Jammu & Kashmir, including its concerns, position and current urgent issues,” it said.