CRI听力:China Calls for Afghanistan Reconciliation Roadmap Acceptable to All

Salahuddin Rabbani is currently in China on a 4-days visit, his first trip to Beijing as a Foreign Minister.

The visit comes after an earlier meeting in Kabul, which involved senior delegates from Afghanistan, Pakistan, China, and the United States to push for peace talks between the Afghan government and Taliban militants.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi says all parties involved in negotiations need to play their role in the talks.

"Whether the peace and reconciliation process can achieve substantial progress relies on many factors. The Afghan government and all the other political fractions need to build up consensus and come up with a really attractive and reasonable plan for reconciliation. Of course we hope the Taliban will respond positively. Pakistan also needs to play its unique role. The US and other stakeholders also need to take necessary measures to promote the resumption and smooth proceeding of peace talks."

Wang says China will continue to support, mediate and provide favorable conditions for the peace talks in Afghanistan, adding that China will also improve communications with Russia, Iran, and India to support the peace process.

For his part, Rabbani praised China of playing an "important and constructive role" to help his country's reconciliation process.

He also expressed his government's desire to join regional economic cooperation projects.

"We discussed the idea of Afghanistan joining the Shanghai Cooperation Organization as a formal member, and China said it welcomes the request. We appreciated that. In the aspects of economics and trade, we also expressed our desire to join the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. Boasting geographical advantages, Afghanistan also wants to be an important hub under the 'Belt and Road' development initiatives."

Wang offered words of support for the reconstruction process in Afghanistan.

"China supports Afghanistan's reconstruction and gives a priority to helping them build residential buildings, train personnel, and improve people's livelihoods. And we are willing to help them work out a plan for infrastructure and make a blueprint for Afghan development in the future."

After their meetings, the two sides also agreed to sign an inter-government document on the 'Belt and Road' initiative, and vowed to strengthen anti-terrorism cooperation.

For CRI, this is Niu Honglin.