China seeks Pakistan’s help in stabilising Afghanistan after US troop withdrawal
- Foreign Minister Wang Yi urges Islamabad to ‘defend regional peace together’ in speech to mark 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations
- Beijing also hopes to increase Afghanistan’s role in China-Pakistan Economic Corridor
Foreign Minister Wang Yi also highlighted China’s pledges to help Pakistan fight Covid-19 and get its economy back on track in a speech to mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with Islamabad – one of Beijing’s closest partners on the international stage.
“[China and Pakistan] need to defend regional peace together. Problems in Afghanistan are practical challenges that China and Pakistan both face. China, along with Pakistan, is willing to continue support for all parties in Afghanistan to seek a political solution through dialogue and lead to ethnic reconciliation and long-lasting peace,” Wang said, according to the official statement.
“To push for the strengthening of communication between countries that have relevant interests would effectively help control the spillover of security risks in Afghanistan, and prevent the expansion of both international and regional terrorism, so that regional stability can be defended.”
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Wang added that China would like to strengthen cooperation with Pakistan to push for a more “just and reasonable” global governance.
He also said there should be more push for “trilateral cooperation” by increasing Afghanistan’s involvement in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a major element of the Belt and Road Initiative.