China, Afghanistan, Pakistan vow to advance mutually beneficial cooperation, safeguard regional stability

CGTN – Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday chaired an informal trilateral meeting of foreign ministers of China, Afghanistan and Pakistan in Beijing.

Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Afghan Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi attended the meeting.

Speaking positively of the outcomes of the meeting, the three foreign ministers had a friendly and in-depth exchange of views on further tapping the potential of the trilateral mechanism and advancing mutually beneficial cooperation.

Wang summarized the seven points of outcomes of the meeting.

First, Wang called for enhancing political mutual trust and uphold good-neighborliness and friendship. China supports Afghanistan and Pakistan in pursuing development paths suited to their national conditions and in safeguarding their sovereignty, security and national dignity, he said.

Second, he urged to give play to the role of the China-Afghanistan-Pakistan Foreign Ministers’ Dialogue mechanism and strive to convene the sixth China-Afghanistan-Pakistan Foreign Ministers’ Dialogue in Kabul at an early date.

Third, he called for strengthening exchanges and diplomatic contacts. Afghanistan and Pakistan expressed clear willingness to elevate diplomatic relations and agreed in principle to exchange ambassadors as soon as possible, he said, adding that China welcomes this and will continue to provide assistance for the improvement of Afghanistan-Pakistan relations.

Fourth, it is imperative to deepen Belt and Road cooperation, promote the extension of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor to Afghanistan, and strengthen the building of regional connectivity networks, said Wang.

Fifth, efforts should be made to advance practical cooperation, expand areas of cooperation, and take cooperation to a higher level. China and Pakistan support Afghanistan’s reconstruction and development, and stand ready to expand trade exchanges with Afghanistan and help the country enhance its own capacity for development, said Wang.

Sixth, he called on the three countries to oppose all forms of terrorism, carry out law enforcement and security cooperation, jointly combat terrorist forces of concern to each side, and stay vigilant against external interference in the internal affairs of regional countries.

Seventh, Wang urged efforts to safeguard regional peace and stability, and strive to create a sound external environment for the development and revitalization of each side.