China supports inclusive peace process in Afghanistan -- envoy

Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-26 05:31:10|Editor: huaxia

UNITED NATIONS, June 25 (Xinhua) -- China supports an inclusive peace process in Afghanistan and is ready to provide a platform for intra-Afghan talks, said a Chinese envoy on Thursday.

The Afghan government and the Taliban have prepared the ground for the start of intra-Afghan negotiations by releasing prisoners. China appreciates this move and calls on all factions to reach agreement on the arrangements for intra-Afghan talks on the country's future political architecture, said Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations.

China has kept close communications with other partners, especially countries in the region, to promote the intra-Afghan dialogue process. China is ready to provide a platform for intra-Afghan talks and will continue to work with others through various mechanisms, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the China-Afghanistan-Pakistan dialogue, he told the UN Security Council.

China supports Afghanistan in its efforts to safeguard national unity and political stability, and calls on all parties in Afghanistan to put national interests first and consolidate unity, said Zhang.

China welcomes last month's political agreement between Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and his political rival Abdullah Abdullah that ended the political impasse stemming from last year's presidential election. China expects to see the normal functioning of the government as early as possible, he said.

"China encourages the main political forces in Afghanistan to seize the opportunity, bridge their differences, and break new ground in national reconciliation and reconstruction at an early date."

China is concerned about the recent resurgence of violence in Afghanistan and calls on all factions to immediately cease hostilities, said Zhang.

China encourages and urges the international community and all parties in Afghanistan to strengthen Afghanistan's security and counter-terrorism capacity, he said.

China calls on the parties concerned to ensure the implementation of the U.S.-Taliban agreement so that the withdrawal of foreign troops in Afghanistan is conducted in an orderly and responsible manner without undermining the interests of Afghanistan or other countries in the region. The withdrawal of foreign troops should prevent the regrouping of terrorist forces, he said.

China supports the development and reconstruction of Afghanistan and its integration into regional cooperation, said the Chinese ambassador.

Lasting and sustaining peace and prosperity would be difficult to achieve without a solid foundation. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the pressure on Afghanistan's economic and social development, he noted.

China calls for efforts to strengthen regional cooperation and connectivity, give play to the critical role of regional countries, especially Afghanistan's neighbors, and help Afghanistan recover its economic vitality, said Zhang. Enditem

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