Foreign Minister Wang Yi Had a Phone Call with Afghan Foreign Minister Muttaki

On March 13, 2026, Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister, held a telephone call with Afghan Foreign Minister Mutaki by mutual agreement. Mutaki thanked China for its proactive efforts in mediating the conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan, saying that the Afghan people have suffered greatly from war and cherish opportunities for peace and development. Afghanistan hopes to be a source of peace in the region rather than a source of turmoil. Afghanistan reaffirmed that its territory will not be used to attack neighboring countries, does not want to come to blows with other countries, and expects neighboring countries to build mutual trust and live in friendship. Afghanistan believes that dialogue and consultation are the only way to resolve problems, and hopes China, as a major country and a friendly neighboring country, will play a greater role.

Wang Yi said that the more turbulent the external environment is, the more regional countries should strengthen unity and cooperation, tide over difficulties together, and take a path toward cooperative security and shared security. Afghanistan and Pakistan are inseparable brothers and immovable neighbors. If some problems arise between the two countries, they can only be resolved through dialogue and consultation. The use of force will only make the situation more complicated, intensify contradictions, be of no benefit to either side, and also threaten regional peace and stability. China has always upheld an objective and fair position on the Afghanistan-Pakistan conflict. The Chinese Foreign Ministry’s Special Envoy for Afghan Affairs is shuttling between the two countries to facilitate mediation. China hopes both sides will remain calm and restrained, hold face-to-face exchanges as soon as possible, achieve a ceasefire at the earliest time, and resolve disputes and differences through dialogue. China stands ready to continue making proactive efforts to help Afghanistan and Pakistan achieve reconciliation and ease their relations.

Both sides also exchanged views on the situation in Iran. Wang Yi reiterated China’s principled position, saying that China is willing, together with the international community including the Afghan side, to continue to play a constructive role in efforts to secure peace. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs website)