China is willing to continue playing a constructive role in the improvement and development of Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a press briefing in Beijing on Monday.
Lin made the remarks in response to a media inquiry about the recent armed conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan in the border area, which resulted in dozens of casualties.
"Recently, there has been a conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan, and the bilateral relations are tense. We are very concerned about this and feel worried. Both Pakistan and Afghanistan are China's friendly neighbors. As they are neighbors that cannot be moved away, it serves the fundamental and long-term interests of both sides to uphold good-neighborly friendship, achieve economic and social development, and jointly combat terrorism," said the spokesman.
"China sincerely hopes that the two countries will keep in mind the bigger picture, stay calm and restrained, persist in properly resolving each other's concerns through dialogue and consultation, avoid escalation of conflicts, and jointly safeguard the peace and stability of the two countries and the region. China is willing to continue playing a constructive role in the improvement and development of Pakistan-Afghanistan relations. China has requested both Pakistan and Afghanistan to take concrete measures to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel, projects, and institutions in the area," he said.
China pledges constructive role in Pakistan-Afghanistan relations: FM spokesman
