Kabul, AFGHANISTAN – Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi met with Chinese Ambassador to Afghanistan, Zhao Xing, in Kabul to discuss the recent border tensions with Pakistan, the Taliban’s Foreign Ministry announced on Wednesday, 4 March.
According to the statement, the two sides discussed, in detail, the “recent security situation in the region, particularly Pakistan’s recent violation of Afghanistan’s sovereignty,” alongside efforts to further strengthen bilateral relations between Afghanistan and China.
Muttaqi stressed that the Taliban aims to build ties founded on mutual respect, non-interference, and good neighborly relations. He stated that Afghanistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are core principles, and that honoring them is vital for maintaining regional stability and fostering trust. He warned that any actions undermining these principles would not only harm bilateral relations but also weaken broader regional security.
The statement noted that Ambassador Zhao expressed concern over the current regional situation. He stressed that China views regional stability as beneficial for all countries and expressed hope that disputes could be resolved through dialogue and diplomatic means.
Zhao noted that certain outside forces are trying to destabilize the region, but neighboring countries can work together to counter these harmful influences.
The Taliban and Pakistan have been engaged in clashes for about a week. The conflict followed retaliatory attacks by Taliban forces on Pakistani border posts. During this period, Pakistan has continued rocket and airstrikes across several Afghan provinces, while the Taliban claims to have carried out drone strikes against Pakistan.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has reported that at least 42 civilians have been killed and 104 others injured in the Pakistani attacks on Afghanistan.
Regional states, including Iran, China, Russia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Malaysia, and others such as the United Kingdom and the United Nations, have urged both sides to halt hostilities and resolve disputes through dialogue. Some of these countries have offered to mediate in an effort to ease tensions between the two neighbors.
Tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban, once allies, have grown since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. Islamabad accuses the Taliban of sheltering Pakistani Taliban (TTP) fighters and providing training and weapons for cross-border attacks. The Taliban deny the allegations.
