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China supports reconciliation process in Afghanistan: envoy
* Sun Yuxi says no direct contact with Afghan groups so far * Chinese forces won’t get involved in security of Afghanistan
APP
ISLAMABAD: China’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan Sun Yuxi on Sunday said China supports ongoing political and reconciliation process in Afghanistan as it will create a better security environment.
Talking to mediamen, he said that he met Afghan President Hamid Karzai and two leading presidential candidates Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah this week. Yuxi expressed hope that election process in Afghanistan will wind up smoothly. He said that during the meetings the Afghan leadership talked about forming a national unity government. Sun Yuxi, a former ambassador to both Afghanistan and India, was appointed special envoy by China two weeks ago. The envoy said China looks forward to progress in Afghan political and reconciliation process.
“So far we have not directly got involved with Afghan groups, including Taliban, and we place our hope on the new government.” He said peace process must be Afghan-owned, as China follows principle of non-interference in the affairs of other countries. He emphasised that success of reconciliation process will lead to better economic situation in Afghanistan. The reconciliation efforts are supported by the United Nations and the international community, he said, adding, “We have to be patient.” The envoy said China will hold meeting of foreign ministers of the region as part of the Istanbul process.
To a question, he said United States has already decided to withdraw its forces from Afghanistan. Some forces of the US will remain in their bases for maintaining security, the special envoy said adding however, China thinks that the future security environment depends on Afghan security forces. Chinese forces will not get involved in security of Afghanistan, he added. “However, if Afghanistan will need help, China will try its best to support them.”
China will continue to aid Afghanistan as it already did by providing equipment, communication and logistical support to its army and police, he added. He said China is concentrating on economic development as many times military solutions do not solve problems.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk