Pakistan-China Back Political Reconciliation In Afghanistan

Islamabad, May 25, IRNA – Pakistan and China have supported the “Afghan-owned and Afghan-led” peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan, saying that political reconciliation is a key step toward peace and stability in that country. In a joint statement issued at the conclusion of the visit of Chinese Premier, Li Keqiang to Pakistan, both sides reaffirmed their support for reconciliation process, vowing to work with regional states and the international community to help Afghanistan achieve peace, stability and security. “China and Pakistan will strengthen bilateral, trilateral and multilateral consultations on the issue of Afghanistan,” the joint statement said. Both sides believe that terrorism, separatism and extremism pose serious threats to regional peace, stability and security, reaffirming their resolve to continue their practical cooperation to jointly combat the “Three Evil Forces” within bilateral and multilateral frameworks. The two states are of the view that all regional countries should make united efforts to tackle global and regional issues, maintain peace and stability, resolve disputes peacefully and promote regional common development, as well as to establish an open, transparent, equal and inclusive security and cooperation framework, based on the fundamental principles of International Law. The two sides agreed to continue encouraging relevant countries in the region to resolve their differences through consultations and negotiations in accordance with relevant principles of UN Charter. The two sides support multilateral cooperation mechanisms in Asia, and take a positive view of each other’s participation in regional and sub-regional cooperation processes. Pakistan will continue to adhere to one-China policy, oppose “Taiwan independence” and “Tibet independence,” support the peaceful development of the relations across the Taiwan Straits and China’s cause of reunification, and support China’s efforts in combating the “Three Evil Forces” of extremism, terrorism and separatism. “We regard East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) as our common threat and stand united in upholding sovereignty and territorial integrity of China,” the joint statement said. China recognized that Pakistan has made great efforts and sacrifices to combat terrorism, and reiterated that it respects the anti-terrorism strategy developed and implemented by the Pakistani side in light of its own conditions./end