appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

hooksArticlePageFloatingButtonConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

Victoria Bela

China has stepped in to mediate between Pakistan and Afghanistan following an escalation of their conflict, urging both sides to end the fighting and settle their disputes through dialogue.
This comes after Pakistan bombed major cities in Afghanistan on Friday, including the capital Kabul, and declared “open war” with its neighbour after months of deadly clashes.
Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Friday that as a neighbour and a friend to both countries, China was closely following developments. She added that Beijing was deeply concerned about the escalation and saddened by the casualties.
“China has been working for mediation on the conflict via its own channels, and stands ready to continue playing a constructive role in de-escalation and the improvement of bilateral ties,” Mao said.
Mao added that the Chinese foreign ministry and embassies in both countries were working to address the conflict.
“China supports combating all forms of terrorism and calls on the two sides to remain calm, exercise restraint, properly settle differences and disputes through dialogue and negotiation, end the fighting at an early date, and avoid more suffering for the people,” Mao said.
Mao also called on Pakistan and Afghanistan to “ensure the safety and security of Chinese personnel, projects and institutions in the two countries”. She added that help would be provided for Chinese citizens in need.


Following air strikes on the Afghan capital and Kandahar, the southern power base of the Taliban authorities, on Friday, Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said on social media that there was now an “open war” between the two countries.
The new round of strikes came after Afghan forces attacked Pakistani border troops on Thursday night.
Relations between the neighbouring countries have plummeted in recent months, particularly following deadly clashes in October that killed more than 70 people on both sides and left land border crossings largely shut.
Islamabad has accused Kabul of failing to act against militant groups that have carried out attacks in Pakistan – a charge the Taliban government denies. In addition to military operations along the border, there have also been suicide blasts in both countries in recent months.
Following an initial ceasefire brokered by Qatar and Turkey in October, there have been several rounds of negotiations between Islamabad and Kabul, though these efforts have failed to produce a lasting agreement.
Saudi Arabia intervened this month to mediate the release of three Pakistani soldiers captured in October, while Iran on Friday offered to help ease dialogue to resolve the conflict.
The relationship between China and Pakistan has been described as “ironclad”, with the two countries sharing diplomatic, economic, defence and scientific ties.
China is Pakistan’s largest trading partner and has invested over US$65 billion in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, an infrastructure project under the Belt and Road Initiative.
Following a visit by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to China in September, the two countries pledged to expand trade and deepen technological cooperation, including in aerospace.
Like most countries, China does not formally recognise the Taliban government. Beijing has taken a cautious approach to engaging with it since the US withdrawal from the country in 2021.
China has repeatedly urged the Taliban to help fight terrorism. Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Afghanistan last August and called for greater counterterrorism cooperation.


The cooling trap: how Asia’s air conditioners are making heatwaves worse

Reporter’s note: two Delhis, one weekend – when the world came to dinner

Houthis claim attacks on Saudi capital, after flames seen near Riyadh airport

31 dead in Pakistan after suicide bomber, gunmen attack police complex

Pakistan

China seeks to mediate after Pakistan declares ‘open war’ on Afghanistan

Taliban security personnel keep watch for air strikes in Khost province, Afghanistan on Friday following overnight cross-border fighting with Pakistan. Photo: AFP

Former US Air Force fighter pilot accused of secretly training Chinese military

A US Air Force F-35C Lightning II lands on the flight deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea on February 12. Photo: AFP

John Moolenaar is the chairman of the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Communist Party. Photo: Getty Images/TNS

New nuclear control agreement should include US, Russia and China: Rubio

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to reporters following meetings with Caribbean Community leaders, at Saint Kitts and Nevis on Wednesday. Photo: AP

DF-5C nuclear missiles are displayed during a military parade in Beijing in September 2025. Photo: Reuters

Trump-Xi summit preparations falter as planning gaps unsettle Beijing

 Illustration: Brian Wang

Chinese leader Xi Jinping with US President Donald Trump outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, on November 9, 2017. Photo: Xinhua

Donald Trump, standing on Xi Jinping’s left side, offers to shake the Chinese leader’s hand. Leaders are instructed to approach Xi from his right-hand side for a handshake, so that he can face the cameras. Photo: Tass/Abaca Press/TNS

Shipping containers are shown on Terminal Island at the port of Los Angeles on Tuesday, days after the US Supreme Court ordered Trump’s initial tariffs struck down, only for the US president to bring in more, global tariffs under a different act. Photo: Reuters

News

China

Diplomacy

Beijing calls on Islamabad and Kabul to stay calm and exercise restraint as relations between the neighbours plummet


Beijing calls on Islamabad and Kabul to stay calm and exercise restraint as relations between the neighbours plummet.


China seeks to mediate after Pakistan declares ‘open war’ on Afghanistan

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Beijing calls on Islamabad and Kabul to stay calm and exercise restraint as relations between the neighbours plummet

Beijing calls on Islamabad and Kabul to stay calm and exercise restraint as relations between the neighbours plummet