China Takes Diplomatic Steps to Ease Pakistan-Afghanistan Tensions, Special Envoy Visits Kabul

Islamabad: China has initiated diplomatic efforts to reduce escalating tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan. According to diplomatic sources, Senior Chinese diplomat and Special Envoy for Afghanistan, Yue Xiaoyong, visited Kabul following his trip to Islamabad, where he met with Afghan Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Defense Minister Mullah Yaqub, and other senior officials.
Sources reported that during his stay in Islamabad, Pakistani authorities briefed the Chinese envoy on the growing threat posed by banned militant groups such as Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other insurgent organizations. Pakistan emphasized that without addressing these security concerns, progress in bilateral relations with Kabul would be difficult.
It is believed that Yue Xiaoyong’s visits to both Kabul and Islamabad are part of China’s renewed efforts to mediate and ease the increasing tensions between the two neighboring countries. The Afghan Deputy Prime Minister’s office confirmed that discussions with the Chinese envoy focused significantly on improving Pakistan-Afghanistan relations.
A statement from the office noted that Yue Xiaoyong stressed the importance of fostering cooperation and reconciliation between Pakistan, Afghanistan, and China. In response, the Afghan Deputy Prime Minister assured the Chinese envoy that Afghanistan’s priorities were the economic development of the country and regional cooperation.
Analysts suggest that China is keen to facilitate a resolution to the ongoing issues between Islamabad and Kabul. In the past, China had attempted to broker deals over the TTP issue, though these efforts had not been successful.