China says it is actively engaged in mediation efforts between the Taliban and Pakistan
A spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry stated on Monday that Chinese officials are actively mediating between the Taliban and Pakistan, having held various meetings with officials from both sides.
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi held phone calls last week with the foreign ministers of the Taliban and Pakistan to reduce tensions, the spokesperson said. China's special representative for Afghanistan has been traveling between Afghanistan and Pakistan to facilitate talks. China's embassies in both countries are maintaining close contact with officials from the two sides.
Beijing hopes both parties will exercise restraint, engage in face-to-face talks as soon as possible, reach a ceasefire at the earliest opportunity and resolve differences through dialogue, according to the spokesperson. China will continue to play a constructive role in promoting reconciliation and easing tensions, the spokesperson added.
The statement comes on the 19th day of border clashes that began on February 26. A deputy spokesperson for the Taliban reported that Pakistani attacks targeted four Afghan provinces in the past 24 hours, killing four civilians and wounding nine others.
The United Nations has reported at least 73 civilians killed in the first two weeks of the clashes.
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