US’ Afghan proposal questioned

China’s top diplomat says key to solution is political dialogue

Beijing is committed to promoting peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan and calls on the international community to support the war-torn country enhancing its ability to fight extremism and terrorism, a top Chinese diplomat said in a phone call with the US secretary of state on Wednesday.

In a prime-time national speech on Monday night, US President Donald Trump recommitted the United States to the 16-year-old war in Afghanistan, declaring US troops must “fight to win” and calling a quick exit of US troops from Afghanistan “unacceptable”.

Trump alleged that “Pakistan often gives safe haven to agents of chaos, violence, and terror’’.

According to a statement from the Foreign Ministry, State Councilor Yang Jiechi told US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson “we need to give attention to the important role Pakistan plays in the Afghanistan issue and respect Pakistan’s sovereignty and security concerns’’.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Tuesday: “Pakistan is at the forefront of counterterrorism efforts. For many years, it has made positive efforts and great sacrifices in combating terrorism and made important contributions to upholding world peace and regional stability.”

During the phone call on Wednesday, Yang said that political dialogue is the only solution to the Afghanistan issue.

The international community needs to support Afghanistan achieving a “broad and inclusive” political reconciliation, support its people in pursuing a development path that fits the country’s own national conditions, and back the Afghan government increasing its ability to fight extremism and terrorism, he said.

Beijing stands ready to maintain communication and coordination with Washington on the Afghanistan issue and to make joint efforts to achieve peace and stability in the country and the region, Yang said, according to the statement.

Yang and Tillerson also exchanged ideas on ChinaUS relations.

In line with the important consensus reached by President Xi Jinping and Trump, the two countries should strengthen exchanges at various levels and prepare fully for Trump’s visit to China this year, Yang said.

Trump is looking forward to his visit to China, said Tillerson, expressing hope that efforts made beforehand will ensure a successful visit, according to the statement.

Li Haidong, a professor of US studies at China Foreign Affairs University, said Trump’s new strategy for Afghanistan shows that the US has not yet given up its ambition of maintaining a leading role in the Asia-Pacific region.

“However, the efforts will end in failure, and even cause uncertainties in South Asia,” he said.

It is urgent and in the common interest for China and the US to cooperate on fighting against terrorism in Afghanistan, where many extremists are based, Li added.

Contact the writers at zhaohuanxin@ chinadaily.com.cn