China hails Kabul, Taliban peace talks

BEIJING: China on Wednesday welcomed peace talks between the Afghan government and Taliban representatives in Islamabad, applauding the flexibility and common will shown to advance the peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan.

The meeting was one of the highest-level contacts between the two warring parties in recent years, offering hope that a formal peace process aimed at ending the long-running conflict could soon begin.

During a press briefing on Wednesday, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said Beijing had a positive appraisal of the rendezvous and believed it would help promote the peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan.

The spokesperson was quoted as saying that China was ready to continue to cooperate closely with all relevant parties and play a constructive role in achieving universal and inclusive peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan.

China has always supported a reconciliation process by the Afghan people and of the Afghan people, said the spokesperson.

She said China encourages and supports the Afghan government to carry out peace talks with the Taliban, adding that China has maintained close contact with all relevant parties on the matter.