Beijing envoy goes to Kabul; Yue Xiaoyong talks to FM Muttaqi; China supports peaceful engagement
China’s special envoy for Afghanistan, Yue Xiaoyong, speaks in Kabul with the Taliban government’s acting foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi. Photo: @taahir_khan/X
ISLAMABAD:
China has intervened diplomatically to help defuse ongoing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, urging both sides to resolve their differences through dialogue as cross-border frictions continue to strain ties between the two neighbors.
According to a statement released by the Afghan Foreign Ministry, China’s special envoy for Afghanistan, Yue Xiaoyong, visited Kabul on Sunday and held talks with the Taliban government’s acting foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, to discuss bilateral cooperation as well as the deteriorating security situation in the region.
During the meeting, the Chinese envoy emphasized Beijing’s desire to see tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan resolved through diplomacy and dialogue. He stressed that it was important for regional stability and security to prevent further escalation.
Yue said China was in contact with Kabul and Islamabad and was actively working to help reduce tensions between the two sides.
The statement stressed that Beijing supports peaceful engagement between the two neighbors and believes that disputes should be resolved diplomatically.
The visit comes at a time when relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have reached their lowest point, with both sides exchanging intense fire over the past 10 days. Pakistan continues to strike targets in Afghanistan through airstrikes and drones.
Officials said Islamabad had no choice but to resort to cross-border counter-terrorism operations after the Afghan Taliban regime failed to rein in terror groups targeting Pakistan.
Islamabad has repeatedly said that terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil are carrying out attacks inside Pakistan, particularly the banned group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Pakistani officials say the presence of such groups poses a serious threat to the country’s security and have urged Afghan Taliban authorities to take action against them.
The Taliban regime, however, has always rejected the accusation that it allows terrorist groups to operate from its territory. Kabul instead accused Pakistan of carrying out military strikes on Afghan territory and violating its sovereignty.
During his meeting with the Chinese envoy, Muttaqi shared Kabul’s position regarding what the Afghan side termed as the Pakistani army’s “aggression” against Afghan territory.
He reiterated that the Islamic Emirate prioritizes resolving disputes through peaceful means. At the same time, he stressed that Afghanistan considers the defense of its territory and its people a legitimate right.
China, which maintains close ties with Pakistan and Afghanistan, is increasingly playing a diplomatic role in encouraging dialogue between the two countries.
Beijing has strategic interests in regional stability, particularly due to its investments and connectivity projects linked to the broader Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and its concerns over security along its western borders.
Diplomatic observers say China’s engagement reflects growing concern that prolonged tensions between Islamabad and Kabul could destabilize the region and undermine efforts aimed at economic connectivity and security cooperation.
