09 September 2017

News Story: China Wants 'Improved Ties Between Afghanistan, Pakistan'

Amidst an escalating pressure on Pakistan from the United States to cooperate with the war against terrorism, the foreign ministers of China and Pakistan appeared at a joint press conference in Beijing on Friday. 

The two officials discussed security in the region and other bilateral issues between China and Pakistan.

The Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, said his country will support Pakistan in the war against terrorism, adding that peace in Afghanistan remains in the interest of both countries.

He said China wants improved relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The foreign minister stated that by the end of the year there will be the first meeting between the foreign ministers of China, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

"Before the end of this year, there will be the first China, Pakistan and Afghanistan foreign ministers' meeting in China. We have identified three priority areas which are strategic communication, security dialogue and practical cooperation. And on that basis we will work on the tri-lateral cooperation starting from the easier matters, and with a goal of establishing a new platform for regional cooperation."

At the same event, Pakistan Foreign Minister Khwaja Asif said the relations between China and Pakistan are exemplary and that Pakistan deeply values China’s support for the country’s territorial integrity.

Read the full story at TOLOnews