China urges Afghanistan, Pakistan to resolve tensions via talks, not force

SHANGHAI, March 14 (Reuters) – Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Afghan counterpart Amir Khan Muttaqi in a phone call that disputes between Afghanistan and Pakistan should be resolved through dialogue and consultation, not force, the foreign ministry said in a statement published on Friday.

Wang urged both sides to remain calm and exercise restraint, hold face-to-face talks as soon as possible, seek an immediate ceasefire and address differences through dialogue, according to the statement.

The further use of force would only complicate the situation and intensify tensions, Wang said.

The ministry’s statement came after Pakistan on Friday bombed the fuel depot of private airline Kam Air near Afghanistan’s Kandahar airport, stepping up the neighbours’ worst conflict in years, despite China’s efforts to mediate.

Wang and Muttaqi also exchanged views on the situation in Iran, the statement said.

Wang told Muttaqi, according to the statement, that Beijing is willing to work with the international community, including Afghanistan, to bring peace to Iran.

(Reporting by Shanghai Newsroom; Editing by Tom Hogue)