China Confirms Shuttle Diplomacy Between Pakistan and Afghanistan to Avert Border Escalation

Overview

• China’s foreign ministry said its special envoy on Afghan affairs is traveling between Kabul and Islamabad to promote peace talks.
• Wang Yi told Mohammad Ishaq Dar that the immediate priority is to halt further military escalation and get the parties back to the negotiating table.
• Beijing reaffirmed support for Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts and asked Islamabad to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel, projects and institutions.
• Pakistan expressed appreciation for China’s mediation and said it will make every effort to protect Chinese institutions and staff.
• China linked the effort to wider de-escalation calls related to the Iran conflict, urging the United States and Israel to stop military operations and condemning attacks on civilians, while reports noted Beijing’s strategic stakes via CPEC and comparisons to its 2023 Iran–Saudi mediation.