Beijing Vows To Boost Efforts To Help Intra-Afghan Dialogue Amid Pre-Election Escalation

Beijing Vows to Boost Efforts to Help Intra-Afghan Dialogue Amid Pre-Election Escalation

Beijing opposes all forms of terrorism and intends to step up diplomatic contacts with "all sides" to promote an intra-Afghan dialogue, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Friday while commenting on a spree of attacks that rocked the conflict-torn country in the run-up to the presidential election

BEIJING (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 20th September, 2019) Beijing opposes all forms of terrorism and intends to step up diplomatic contacts with "all sides" to promote an intra-Afghan dialogue, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Friday while commenting on a spree of attacks that rocked the conflict-torn country in the run-up to the presidential election.

Afghanistan has faced a wave of terrorist attacks in the lead up to the September 28 election, and the number is expected to increase as the date draws nearer. Most recently, on Thursday, the country saw at least two deadly attacks � one on the office of the National Directorate of Security in Zabul Province and another on a US military convoy in the Logar province. The Taliban movement, which threatens to disrupt the vote, has claimed responsibility for both.

"The situation in Afghanistan is currently at a turning point. China condemns and opposes all forms of terrorism; we support all efforts that are favorable for peace and stability in Afghanistan. We intend to intensify coordination and cooperation with all sides to contribute to the process of national reconciliation and stability in the country," the ministry's spokesman, Geng Shuang, said at a briefing.

For over a year, the United States and the Taliban have been attempting to negotiate a peace deal that would include the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan in exchange for the movement's counterterrorism assurances. Afghanistan, however, is not involved in the talks because the Taliban refuses to hold a dialogue with the Afghan authorities.

Earlier in September, the escalation of violence prompted Washington to suspend its talks with the Taliban.