Responding to a question from a journalist. China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Geng Shuang in his regular press briefing said that his country supports implementation of the Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS). Shuang further said that as a friend to both Pakistan and Afghanistan, China is willing to continue its role towards improvement of Pak-Afghan bilateral ties.
Below is Shuang’s full response to the question:
Q: According to reports, on September 15, Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi visited Afghanistan, during which he met and held talks with the Afghan leaders and other officials. The two sides made positive remarks on improving their relations and agreed to continue moving forward the Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS) and advancing the peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan. They also agreed to hold the second China-Afghanistan-Pakistan Foreign Ministers’ Dialogue. What is your comment? As China is part of the trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Dialogue, could you tell us about the preparations, considerations and expectations of the Chinese side for the dialogue?
A: As a neighbor and friend to both Afghanistan and Pakistan, China hopes that the Afghanistan-Pakistan relations can develop in a sound and steady way and commends the relevant positive remarks made by the two sides.
China supports the two countries in implementing the Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS) and jointly moving forward the reconciliation process in Afghanistan. We are willing to continue with our constructive role in the improvement of the relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan and actively promote China-Afghanistan-Pakistan trilateral cooperation.
Now the Chinese side is in close communication with Afghanistan and Pakistan on the specific arrangements of the second trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Dialogue.
Disclaimer: Views expressed on this blog are not necessarily endorsed or supported by the Center for Research and Security Studies, Islamabad.
