China urges trust, cooperation with Pakistan, Afghanistan as regional tensions mount

China has pledged to improve trust and cooperation with Pakistan and Afghanistan amid mounting military tensions in the region, with Beijing’s top diplomat calling for the three countries to work together to project regional peace.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi made the remarks during an informal meeting with his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar and Afghanistan’s acting foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, in Beijing on Wednesday.

The foreign ministry said the three diplomats discussed a plan to upgrade political mutual trust and neighbourly relations, with Beijing supporting the two countries in “safeguarding their sovereignty, security and national dignity”.

Wang said China, Pakistan and Afghanistan should deepen exchanges and diplomatic ties. The two South Asian nations also agreed “in principle” to exchange ambassadors “as soon as possible”.

“China welcomes this and is willing to continue to provide help for the improvement of Afghanistan-Pakistan relations,” Wang said, according to the ministry.