Chairman of Afghanistan's High Council for National Reconciliation Abdullah Abdullah (L) shakes hands with the leader of the Taliban negotiating team Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar during the final declaration of the peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban in Doha, Qatar's capital, July 18, 2021. /CFP
A Chinese envoy on Friday called on the international community to carry forward the Afghan peace process by preventing all-out war, advancing peace and reconciliation, and fighting terrorism.
Afghanistan is at a historic conjuncture of war and peace. With the hasty withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces, Afghanistan has seen increased violence, rising civilian casualties and a deteriorating security situation, said Dai Bing, charge d'affaires of China's permanent mission to the United Nations.
Two decades of war in Afghanistan has once again demonstrated that there is no military solution. Any external power interference in Afghanistan is doomed to fail, he told the Security Council. The international community should help avoid the expansion of fighting and prevent all-out war in Afghanistan, he said.
Dai called for cessation of hostilities and peace, stressing that these are the greatest aspirations not only for the Afghan people, but also for regional countries and the international community.
China condemns violent attacks against civilians and civilian facilities, said Dai, urging all parties in Afghanistan to exercise restraint, stop military confrontation and reach a comprehensive ceasefire at an early date.
An Afghan National Army commando soldier stands guard along a road amid ongoing fighting between Taliban and Afghan security forces in the Injil district of Herat province, Afghanistan, August 1, 2021. /CFP
The Chinese envoy suggested all foreign troops to consult fully with the Afghan government on post-withdrawal arrangements to ensure a smooth transition in Afghanistan, and be transparent with regional countries to avoid leaving behind all the problems.
Dai named the U.S. in particular, saying that China hopes the U.S. could earnestly fulfil its commitment and contribute to the stability of Afghanistan.
Reiterating that political solution is the only way out for Afghanistan, Dai said that China welcomes the recent resumption of dialogue between the Afghan government and the Taliban in Doha, Qatar, and their agreement to continue high-level talks and to accelerate the negotiation process, he said.
"We hope that negotiating parties can show flexibility, seek common ground while managing differences, and chart out a roadmap and timetable for reconciliation as soon as possible. We look forward to the rebirth of Afghanistan and the establishment of a broad and inclusive political structure in pursuit of a moderate and steady Muslim policy, with a commitment to friendly relations with all neighboring countries," said Dai.
China is willing to host intra-Afghan negotiations in due course to support and facilitate the peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan, he added.
He also stressed the importance of preventing terrorist forces from gaining strength.
(With input from Xinhua)