China backs Pakistan’s peace role, calls for early revival of talks

Beijing’s special envoy for Afghanistan meets senior Pakistani govt, military officials

ISLAMABAD:

China has thrown its weight firmly behind Pakistan’s role in forging peace in Afghanistan and called for the early revival of stalled talks between Kabul and the Taliban.

The prospect of resuming the crucial negotiations was discussed between China’s special envoy on Afghanistan Deng Xijun and the Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi on Friday. Deng, in his first foreign visit, met Pakistani government and military leaders in Islamabad to discuss ways to end the deadlock in the peace process in the neighbouring country.



“I discussed with [Pakistani] government officials and military leaders the ways we can push forward the [Afghan] peace process and resume talks [between Kabul and the Taliban] as early as possible,” the visiting diplomat told The Express Tribune after wrapping up his engagements on the first day of his two-day visit.

“Resuming the peace talks is not only in Afghanistan’s interest but in the interest of all regional countries, including China and Pakistan,” he stressed.



Deng, who is scheduled to travel to Kabul after his visit to Islamabad, said China opposes a military solution to the Afghan problem and favours intra-Afghan dialogue.



"We think dialogue is the only way out for Afghanistan to achieve lasting peace and stability,” he said. “We appreciate Pakistan very much for helping Afghanistan hold the peace talks in Murree, of course with the assistance of China and the United States. It is a breakthrough in this whole process.”

“Not only China, but [Afghanistan’s] President Ashraf Ghani himself personally expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif,” the Chinese envoy added.

“We have difficulties and obstacles when we have such kind of things. We have many problems and challenges ahead but if we sit down, if we talk with each other, then I think the future is bright," Xijun went on to say.



Earlier, the Chinese special envoy met Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi and “lauded Pakistan’s role in facilitating the peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan,” according to a statement issued by Pakistan’s foreign ministry. He also commended “Pakistan’s concerted efforts and huge sacrifices in the fight against terrorism,” the ministry said.

Deng reassured Pakistan of China’s continued support in addressing common challenges faced by the region, the statement said.

Fatemi, meanwhile, “underscored that peace in Afghanistan was vital for the peace and stability of the entire region,” the statement added. The prime minister’s assistant also highlighted Pakistan’s role in facilitating an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned reconciliation process.



Fatemi said that both Pakistan and China had convergent interests and shared goals with regards to Afghanstan. He welcomed China’s growing engagement with Afghanistan, as well as its efforts for peace and development in the war-torn country.

The two sides also discussed the forthcoming ministerial meeting of the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process, which will be held in Islamabad next month, and reaffirmed their commitment to work closely for its success.


Published in The Express Tribune, November 7^th, 2015.