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China hopes for resumption of Afghan peace talks

Xinhua, March 7, 2016 Adjust font size:

China said on Monday that it hoped the Afghan government and the Taliban as well as concerned parties will work together for the resumption of Afghan peace talks at an early date.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei made the remarks at a routine press conference, when asked about a statement made by the Taliban on Saturday, which stated that its leader has not authorized anyone to participate in the direct talks announced by the Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QCG).

The QCG, comprising Afghanistan, Pakistan, China and the United States, met on Feb. 23 for its fourth session in Kabul and announced that direct talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government might take place in the first week of March.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said on Sunday he held that there was still hope in the resumption of direct talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban.

"China supports an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned inclusive reconciliation process," Hong said, adding China has always held that parties in Afghanistan would solve their differences through political dialogues to realize lasting peace.

Hong said the QCG had worked for creating favorable conditions for direct talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban and has played a positive role in building consensus and pushing forward the reconciliation process since its establishment.

"The Taliban is a significant part of the Afghan peace and reconciliation process. We hope all parties will work together, take care of each others' concerns, and strive for the early resumption of peace talks," Hong said.

He said China was willing to play a constructive role in the resumption of the peace talks in Afghanistan, under the precondition of respecting Afghan sovereignty and the will of concerned parties. Endi