Chinese FM: China willing to see US play positive role in Afghan peace process

ISLAMABAD -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here Wednesday that China is willing to see the United States play a "positive and constructive" role in Afghanistan's peace process.

Wang made the remarks at a 2+2 meeting of Afghanistan, Pakistan, China and the United States on the sidelines of the ongoing fifth foreign ministers' conference of the Istanbul Process on Afghanistan.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and US Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken also attended the meeting.

Wang said China supports Afghanistan's effort for peace and reconstruction, and currently priority should be given to realization of reconciliation in the Central Asian country, which is the prerequisite for reconstruction.

"The Chinese side believes that Pakistan will continue to play a unique and important role in promoting the reconciliation process in Afghanistan, and hopes that the Afghan government will overcome difficulties and stick to the peace talks with the Taliban," Wang said.

China is ready to continue creating conditions for the realization of the prospect on the basis of respecting the sovereignty of Afghanistan and the aspirations of parties concerned, he added.

China is also willing to see that the United States would play a positive and constructive role in this process, Wang said.

Both China and the United States should support Afghanistan and Pakistan to improve relations, build mutual trust and engage in cooperation, he said.

Wang also called on parties concerned to strengthen counter-terror cooperation in accordance with international laws and make joint efforts to maintain regional peace and stability.

Afghanistan, Pakistan and the United States reiterated their willingness to promote the Afghan peace process and enhance counter-terror cooperation. They also expressed appreciation of the positive role China has played in this respect.

In a trio-meeting with Sharif and Ghani prior to the 2+2 meeting, Wang said that China, Pakistan and Afghanistan are not only one another's important neighbors, but also a community of shared destiny.

The Chinese foreign minister called on the two countries to cast away past resentment, improve relations and build mutual trust.

"It is in the common interest of the three countries, and also contributes to Afghanistan's peaceful reconstruction as well as regional peace and stability," he said.