China: Speaking to all parties concerned ahead of intra-Afghan talks

The Chinese government maintained that they are communicating with all parties concerned for holding the intra-Afghan talks in China. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang, during a press conference, said that China firmly supports the comprehensive and inclusive 'Afghan-led, Afghan-owned' peace reconciliation process and added that it supports constructive dialogue between all parties concerned.

"China is willing to provide a platform for dialogue and exchanges between the parties concerned in the Afghan issue and help with advancing the peace reconciliation process in Afghanistan on the basis of respecting the wishes of all related parties," said Geng Shuang. 

Read: China To Host Rare Meeting Between Afghan Govt, Taliban

Taliban leader confirmed the meeting

The meeting, which was earlier scheduled for October 29-30, will reportedly take place on November 21 in Beijing after it got postponed on Afghanistan’s request. The Taliban had confirmed that a delegation led by its senior leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar will attend the meeting. Jamiat-e-Islami leader Ismail Khan said that the government has not finalised the list of attendees for the upcoming meeting. "Seven people from the government and 18 representatives from political parties will be on the list," said Khan.

Read: Pakistan Views Taliban As Anti-India & Friendly Element In Afghan: US

America welcomed the proposal

The United States had welcomed the Chinese proposal to host intra-Afghan peace talks with Afghanistan officials and the Taliban. In a joint statement issued by the US, Russia, China, and Pakistan, on peace in Afghanistan, the special representatives of the four countries acknowledged the demand of the Afghan people for 'lasting peace and an end to the war'.

“We agreed on steps in support of the Afghan people’s desire to end the war and bring lasting peace”, said Zalmay Khalilzad, U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation. 

Call for reducing violence

Khalilzad had also held a meeting in Moscow with his colleagues from China, Russia and Pakistan to review the situation in Afghanistan they urged all sides to immediately reduce violence in order to create an environment conducive for negotiations. They also called on all Afghans, including the government and the Taliban, to ensure “international terrorists do not use Afghan soil to threaten the security of any other country”.

Read: Afghanistan Government Slams Pakistan Military For Rocket Attacks

Read: United States Welcomes China's Proposal Of Intra-Afghan Peace Talks

(With ANI Inputs)