Pitching in: China backs Afghan reconciliation talks

Foreign ministry says Beijing ready to play a constructive role in the inclusive peace process

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan has won the backing of China for its initiative to facilitate talks for restoration of peace in war-ravaged Afghanistan. At the same time, Beijing has offered its cooperation for reconciliation between the Afghan government and the Taliban.

This came weeks after Islamabad brokered a rare face-to-face meeting between Afghan government officials and Taliban representatives in the hill town of Murree. China had attended the meeting as an observer together with officials from Pakistan and the United States.

“China encourages and supports the peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban, and commends the important role in pushing forward the peace talks played by relevant parties and Pakistan in particular,” the Chinese foreign ministry said.

The second round of the ‘Murree Peace Process’ scheduled on July 31 was put off following the announcement of the death of Mullah Omar, the long-time elusive Taliban leader and subsequent bitter transition of power.



“The Chinese side is ready to cooperate with all parties and play a constructive role in extensive and inclusive peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan as always,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said. Her remarks on the reconciliation process in Afghanistan were posted on the Chinese foreign ministry website.

She told a weekly press briefing in Beijing on Friday that the peace talks were the realistic way to solve the Afghanistan issue.

Senate Defence Committee Chairman Mushahid Hussain Sayed said China was more than willing to play a proactive role to promote peace in Afghanistan. “China’s readiness, willingness and ability to play a role in promoting peace talks among warring Afghan factions has the full support of both Pakistan and the US,” he told The Express Tribune.

Afghan analysts have similar views for China’s role.

Ahmadullah Ahmadzai, an Afghan political analyst and columnist, said that if China wanted to play the key role and it could do it. “Among regional countries, the Taliban can trust China. The US also wants to withdraw troops from Afghanistan and wants China to play the key role in reconciliation,” Ahmadzai told The Express Tribune on Saturday.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 16^th, 2015.