Wang Yi Holds a Collective Meeting with Representatives of the Meeting of the China-U.S.-Russia Consultation Mechanism on the Afghan Issue

On March 31, 2022, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a collective meeting with representatives of the meeting of the China-U.S.-Russia Consultation Mechanism on the Afghan Issue in Tunxi, Anhui province. Special envoys and special representatives for Afghan Affairs of China, the United States, Russia and Pakistan attended the meeting.

Wang Yi said that China, the United States, Russia and Pakistan are important stakeholders in the Afghan issue and also countries with important influence on Afghanistan. The four sides complement each other's strengths and forge synergy, which can accomplish many major events. Since the situation in Afghanistan has undergone major changes, the consultation mechanism has played a constructive role in achieving a smooth transition in Afghanistan. China appreciates this. Under the new circumstances, the four sides should adjust work direction, support Afghanistan's efforts to rebuild the country and improve people's livelihood, and promote Afghanistan to respond positively to the expectations of the international community. In particular, it should earnestly fulfill its commitments, completely cut ties with terrorist forces and dismantle and eliminate them, so as to create necessary conditions for Afghanistan's economic and social development.

Wang Yi put forward three-point hope for the work of the mechanism in the next step:

First, we should strengthen coordination. In the spirit of seeking common ground while shelving differences, we should expand consensus, properly handle differences and send a consistent positive signal to the outside world.

Second, we should be pragmatic. We should take a problem-oriented approach and strive for more practical measures. In particular, the United States should take practical action on unfreezing Afghanistan's overseas assets and lifting unreasonable sanctions.

Third, we should persevere in our efforts. We should maintain a pioneering spirit, actively explore solutions to difficult issues, and promote the China-U.S.-Russia Consultation Mechanism to play an effective role in Afghanistan's peace, reconstruction and people's well-being.

Special Envoy for Afghan Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China Yue Xiaoyong, on behalf of special envoys and special representatives of the four countries, made a speech. He said that it is of special significance to hold the meeting of the China-U.S.-Russia Consultation Mechanism on the Afghan Issue during the Third Foreign Ministers' Meeting on the Afghan Issue Among the Neighboring Countries of Afghanistan. He expressed the willingness to jointly promote the international community to pay more attention to the Afghan issue, gather consensus among all parties and play a constructive role in realizing peace and reconstruction in Afghanistan.

On the same day, the meeting of the China-U.S.-Russia-Pakistan Consultation Mechanism on the Afghan Issue was held in Tunxi, which was chaired by China.