China has called on Afghanistan and Pakistan to step back from escalating tensions and settle their disputes through dialogue rather than violence, according to Reuters. In a phone conversation with Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged both countries to exercise restraint and seek peaceful solutions amid rising border hostilities, according to a statement released by Beijing’s foreign ministry on Friday.
“Differences should be managed through dialogue and consultation, not by force,” Wang reportedly told Muttaqi. He added that any further use of military power would “only complicate the situation and intensify tensions.”
Wang encouraged both sides to stay calm, arrange direct talks as soon as possible, declare an immediate ceasefire, and work to rebuild trust. His remarks came as China, a longtime regional power and trading partner of both nations, sought to prevent the already fragile security situation in South Asia from deteriorating further.
Beijing’s appeal followed a sharp escalation in hostility after Pakistan bombed a private fuel depot belonging to Afghan airline Kam Air near Kandahar airport on Friday. The attack marked one of the most serious clashes between the neighbors in recent years and risked plunging their relations into deeper turmoil. Both governments have accused each other of harboring militants responsible for cross-border attacks, fueling a cycle of blame and retaliation.
China, which shares a narrow border with Afghanistan and maintains economic and diplomatic ties across the region, has been positioning itself as a mediator in multiple conflicts. Wang and Muttaqi also discussed the growing crisis in Iran, where conflict and instability threaten to spill across borders and disrupt vital trade routes.
According to the Chinese foreign ministry, Wang reaffirmed that Beijing is ready to work with Afghanistan and the wider international community to support peace efforts in Iran. He emphasized that stability in the region depends on cooperation, patience, and communication, not confrontation.
