China favours role in Afghan peace talks, appreciates Pakistan's efforts

Published August 15, 2015
The statements by foreign ministry spokesperson come after recent terrorist attacks in Afghanistan. —AP/File
The statements by foreign ministry spokesperson come after recent terrorist attacks in Afghanistan. —AP/File

BEIJING: A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on Friday said that the country is in favour of playing a constructive role in Afghanistan's peace and reconciliation process, said a report on the government news service Xinhua.

The statements by spokesperson Hua Chunying come after recent terrorist attacks in Afghanistan which may put a damper on reconciliation efforts.

Hua said that China is consistent in its support for the "Afghan-led and Afghan-owned" reconciliation process, mentioning China's support for peace talks between the Afghan Taliban and Afghan government.

The spokesperson also noted Pakistan's significant role in the peace talks and said that China hopes that those involved in the talks continue to make efforts to ensure peace in Afghanistan.

Also read: Afghan team due in Pakistan to revive stalled Taliban peace talks

Pakistan last month hosted inaugural talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban, who are fighting to re-establish hard-line Islamist rule more than 13 years after the US-led military intervention that toppled their regime.

Many in Afghanistan accuse Pakistan of being host to Taliban bases that are used to plan attacks such as the bombings over the weekend. Pakistan, which faces its own Taliban insurgency, denies that it has actively allowed its territory to be used in this way.

“Our priority of course is reconciliation,” Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz had said.

Three attacks last week shocked Kabul in their scope and brutality. A truck bomb exploded early Friday morning, flattening a city block and killing 15 people and wounding 240 as they slept, authorities said.

Hours later, a suicide bomber killed at least 20 cadets outside a police academy, while another 10 people died in an attack on a military camp used by US Army Special Forces. On Monday, an attack near Kabul's airport killed five people.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for most of the attacks.

Meanwhile, fighting in Baghlan between Afghan forces and the Taliban has killed two police officers, said Jaweed Basharat, the provincial police spokesman. He said the fighting in the Dahana-I-Ghori district began on Tuesday.

The Taliban, who regularly exaggerate their claims, issued a statement, claiming a much higher police casualties figure.

Opinion

The Dar story continues

The Dar story continues

One wonders what the rationale was for the foreign minister — a highly demanding, full-time job — being assigned various other political responsibilities.

Editorial

Wheat protests
Updated 01 May, 2024

Wheat protests

The government should withdraw from the wheat trade gradually, replacing the existing market support mechanism with an effective new one over the next several years.
Polio drive
01 May, 2024

Polio drive

THE year’s fourth polio drive has kicked off across Pakistan, with the aim to immunise more than 24m children ...
Workers’ struggle
Updated 01 May, 2024

Workers’ struggle

Yet the struggle to secure a living wage — and decent working conditions — for the toiling masses must continue.
All this talk
Updated 30 Apr, 2024

All this talk

The other parties are equally legitimate stakeholders in the country’s political future, and it must give them due consideration.
Monetary policy
30 Apr, 2024

Monetary policy

ALIGNING its decision with the trend in developed economies, the State Bank has acted wisely by holding its key...
Meaningless appointment
30 Apr, 2024

Meaningless appointment

THE PML-N’s policy of ‘family first’ has once again triggered criticism. The party’s latest move in this...