KABUL - Chinese state councilor has called for political dialogue to solve the prolonged issue of Afghanistan, China’s foreign ministry said.
China is willing to keep communication and coordination with the United States on peace and stability in Afghanistan, Chinese Foreign Ministry’s officials said.
In a telephone conversation with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi called for political dialogue to solve the prolonged issue of the war-torn country and conveyed the willingness to coordinate with the United States to create peace and stability in the region, said Hua Chunying, spokeswoman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
"President Trump delivered a speech in which he expounded the new strategy on Afghanistan and South Asia, eliciting wide attention. Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi, at request, talked with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on the phone and stated China's policy on Afghanistan,” he said as quoted in a report by China’s CCTV on Thursday.
“The international community should support the Afghan-led reconciliation process, support their efforts to achieve a broad and inclusive political reconciliation, support the Afghan people in pursuing a development path that suits their own national conditions, and support the Afghan government in increasing its capability to strengthen national security and fight terrorism and extremism,” said Hua.
In an unexpected move, Trump announced his strategy on Afghanistan on Tuesday morning – in Kabul time. He said the United States must continue fighting in Afghanistan and that they can no longer be silent about Pakistan’s safe havens for terrorist organizations.
He also talked about giving more authority to the troops on the ground. “We will also expand authority for American armed forces to target the terrorists and criminal networks that sow violence and chaos throughout Afghanistan,” the US president said.
Hours after the announcement, Taliban reacted to the new US strategy, claiming that they will continue fighting as long as American troops remain in Afghanistan. (Tolonews)