China looks to step up cooperation with Pak as Taliban makes gains in Afghanistan

TIL Desk/World/Beijing/ China has asked Pakistan to step up cooperation to contain the security risks rising from the US and NATO troops withdrawing from Afghanistan and the latest offensive by the Taliban. China has also sought a “trilateral cooperation” between Beijing, Islamabad and Kabul.

“China, along with Pakistan, is willing to continue support for all parties in Afghanistan to seek a political solution through dialogue and lead to ethnic reconciliation and long-lasting peace,” Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday.

Wang made the remarks during a speech marking the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Pakistan. Wang said: “[China and Pakistan] need to defend regional peace together. Problems in Afghanistan are practical challenges that China and Pakistan both face.”

“To push for the strengthening of communication between countries that have relevant interests would effectively help control the spillover of security risks in Afghanistan, and prevent the expansion of both international and regional terrorism, so that regional stability can be defended,” the minister said.