China says Pak-Afghan peace talks progressing steadily under Beijing’s mediation

China said Friday that peace talks it is mediating between Pakistan and Afghanistan in the northwestern city of Urumqi are “progressing steadily and smoothly,” signaling cautious momentum in efforts to ease tensions between the neighboring countries.

According to the Chinese media, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a daily press briefing that both Islamabad and Kabul “value and welcome” Beijing’s mediation efforts, as China continues diplomatic engagement with the two sides following months of conflict.

China, which shares a western border with both countries, has sought to bridge differences between the former allies turned rivals. Beijing has held telephone conversations with their foreign ministers and dispatched a special envoy on visits in March as part of the mediation process.

Mao said that since the recent escalation of the Pakistan-Afghanistan conflict, China “has maintained close communication with both sides through multiple channels and at various levels, creating conditions and providing a platform for dialogue.”

“The three parties have reached a consensus and made arrangements on the specific operational modalities, including news reporting. If there is any further information, we will release it in due course,” she said.

“Both Pakistan and Afghanistan attach importance to, and welcome, China’s mediation, and are willing to sit down for talks again, which is a positive development,” Mao added.

She did not specify the venue of the negotiations, although both neighbors have previously indicated that talks were being held in Urumqi.

China has continued promoting dialogue while remaining in close communication with both sides to build suitable conditions for negotiations, Mao said, adding that further information would be released later.

Fighting between Pakistan and Afghanistan that began in October last year has killed scores of people on both sides, with Afghan casualties reported to be higher.

Islamabad accuses Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities of harboring militants who carry out attacks inside Pakistan. Kabul denies the allegations and says militancy is Pakistan’s internal issue.