China pushes for trilateral connections

China, Afghanistan and Pakistan agreed on Wednesday to advance the Belt and Road cooperation by extending the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor to Afghanistan, signaling a renewed push for mutual connectivity across the region.

The consensus was reached during an informal meeting of foreign ministers of the three countries in Beijing. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi hosted the trilateral meeting with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Afghan Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.

The foreign ministers spoke positively about the achievements of the China-Afghanistan-Pakistan trilateral dialogue, and exchanged views on further exploring the potential of the trilateral mechanism and promoting mutually beneficial cooperation and friendly relations.

Regarding the outcomes of the meeting, Wang, who is also member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said the three countries pledged to enhance political mutual trust and maintain good neighborly relations.

China supports Afghanistan and Pakistan in following the development paths that suit their national conditions and upholding sovereignty, security and national dignity, Wang said.

He said the three countries will advance pragmatic cooperation in broader areas and raise the level of their partnership.

China and Pakistan support Afghanistan's reconstruction and development, and are willing to expand trade with Afghanistan and help Afghanistan enhance its capabilities for independent development, he added.

Noting the three countries agreed to enhance diplomatic engagement, Wang said Afghanistan and Pakistan expressed their willingness to elevate diplomatic relations and agreed in principle to promptly send ambassadors to each other's capitals.

China welcomed this development and is ready to continue assisting in improving Afghanistan-Pakistan relations, he added.

Wang said the three countries also expressed their opposition to all forms of terrorism, agreeing to engage in law enforcement and security cooperation and join hands to combat terrorist forces of their respective concerns, while remaining vigilant against external interference in the internal affairs of regional countries.

They will work together to safeguard regional peace and stability, striving to create a favorable external environment for their respective development and revitalization efforts, he said.

It was agreed at the meeting that the three countries will leverage the role of the mechanism of foreign ministers' dialogue, and hold the sixth trilateral meeting of foreign ministers in Kabul, the Afghan capital, as early as possible.

caodesheng@chinadaily.com.cn