China said it has been working to mediate between the Taliban and Pakistan as tensions and cross-border clashes have entered their 19th day.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held phone conversations with Taliban and Pakistani foreign ministers over the past week in an effort to reduce tensions, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said.
China’s special envoy for Afghan affairs has also been traveling between the two countries to facilitate dialogue, while Chinese embassies in Afghanistan and Pakistan have remained in close communication with officials from both sides, the spokesperson said.
China hopes the two sides will remain calm and exercise restraint, hold face-to-face talks as soon as possible and reach a ceasefire at the earliest opportunity, the spokesperson said.
Beijing also urged the two sides to resolve their differences through dialogue.
China will continue to play a constructive role in facilitating reconciliation and helping ease tensions between Taliban and Pakistan, the spokesperson added.
This comes as on 19th day of cross-border clashes, Taliban deputy spokesman said four provinces were attacked by Pakistan over the past 24 hours, leaving four civilians dead and nine others wounded.
UN has said that at least 73 civilians have been killed in the first two weeks of the clashes that started on Feb. 26.
