China's Special Envoy Calls for Resolving Taliban-Pakistan Tensions Through Dialogue

Kabul, Afghanistan (Amu TV) -- Yue Xiaoyong, China's special representative for Afghanistan, met with Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and emphasized resolving tensions with Pakistan through "dialogue and diplomacy," according to a Taliban Foreign Ministry statement. He urged efforts to avoid escalating tensions to preserve regional stability and noted that China is in contact with Pakistani officials to reduce frictions and foster "constructive relations" between the two sides.

The meeting also covered expanding "bilateral relations" between the Taliban administration and China, recent regional developments, and the situation following what the statement described as "Pakistan's military aggression on Afghanistan's sovereignty." Muttaqi described Taliban-China ties as positive and expressed hope for broader cooperation across sectors.

Muttaqi conveyed the Taliban's stance on recent Pakistani attacks, prioritizing "peaceful resolution of problems" over conflict while trying to avoid escalation, but asserting the "legitimate right" to defend the country and its people.

Yue Xiaoyong expressed condolences to the families of Afghan victims killed in Pakistan's recent attacks.

The clashes between Taliban forces and Pakistan began on February 26. No fighting was reported in the past 24 hours as of the statement, but the prior 10 days saw intense clashes and Pakistani airstrikes on various parts of Afghanistan. The United Nations reported 56 deaths in the clashes as of March 5. The Taliban claimed 327 Pakistani soldiers were killed in their attacks, while Pakistan claimed more than 400 Taliban fighters were killed in theirs.