Summary Asif, Yi held joint press conference in Beijing.
BEIJING (Dunya News)- Amidst augmenting pressure from Pentagon in the wake of Trump’s new Afghan policy, Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif has on Friday held meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi at the start of his regional outreach and discussed swift developments in the region.
While addressing the joint press conference, Asif reiterated Pakistan’s unconditional support for China on various issues and stressed on political solution to decades-old Afghan quagmire. “There is no military solution to Afghan problem”, Asif warned the world while adding, “focus should be on political solution”.
Referring to the US policy on Afghanistan and South Asia, Khawaja Asif said peace and stability in Afghanistan remains critical for peace and security of the region. He said it is our firm view that focus should be on politically-negotiated settlement of the Afghan conflict.
Asif apprised attendants that Pakistan’s indiscriminate military campaigns against terrorists have yielded positive outcomes.
Yi stressed on the world to admit Pakistan’s unrivalled sacrifices in anti-terror campaign.
“We reaffirm that China and Pakistan will firmly support each other’s core interests. Beijing supports Pakistan in safeguarding its national sovereignty and dignity. China supports Pakistan in fighting terrorism and upholding and maintaining domestic security,” Yi told reported in joint press conference.
While commenting on Trump’s new Afghan and South Asia policy, Yi hoped that relevant policy could contribute to enduring peace and stability in war-torn Afghanistan and ‘accommodate legitimate security concerns of regional countries. Yi further narrated, “China and Pakistan would continue to play a constructive role in seeking and advancing the political reconciliation process in Afghanistan”.
Yi also lauded Pakistan’s unequivocal support for China on series of issues that concern Beijing’s core interests while ensuring that China would continue to play its due role in solving Pak-Afghan conflicts.
Yi told reporter that a trilateral meeting of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Chinese foreign ministers would be arranged in Beijing.
TRUMP’S TIRADE
Trump, while announcing his policy for Afghanistan and South Asia, accused Pakistan of harboring agents of chaos while urged Islamabad’s arch rival India to play ‘bigger role’ in Afghanistan.
“We can no longer be silent about Pakistan s safe havens for terrorist organisations” uttered Trump while hinting at cutting financial aid to Pakistan.
