China promises support for 'Afghan-led' process after U.S. withdrawal

CGTN

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Chinese state councilor and foreign minister Wang Yi has pledged to support Afghanistan's fight against terrorism in a telephone conversations with counterparts in Kabul.

Separate discussions with foreign minister Mohammad Haneef Atmar and national security adviser Hamdullah Mohib focused on the path to resolving the conflict that has beset Afghanistan for decades.

China supports talks between different factions aimed at securing peace and stability, China's foreign ministry said in briefings summarizing the calls. Patience and goodwill will be required to secure a ceasefire to provide the conditions for such talks to prove successful, Wang said, according to the statements.

U.S. President Joe Biden's decision to withdraw troops from Afghanistan has led to uncertainty over the country's future stability. America's senior commander there

has warned that Taliban

fighters will take the opportunity to increase attacks to improve their leverage over the government.

The process that follows the departure of U.S. and Nato forces should be "Afghan-led" and "Afghan-owned," Wang said, but supported by international partners.

Afghanistan and China promised during the discussions to work together to tackle the threat from terrorism.

China has also been working with Afghanistan and neighboring countries in the region to battle the COVID-19 pandemic and Wang pledged continued support from Beijing in his call with Atmar.