Pakistan, Afghanistan can settle their differences: China

BEIJING: China today hoped that Pakistan and Afghanistan can properly settle their differences, days after deadly border clashes between the two neighbours.

Asked about the exchange of fire on the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan last week, Chinese Foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said China hopes that both countries jointly safeguard regional peace and stability.

"China has noted relevant reports. As a close neighbour of Afghanistan and Pakistan, China hopes that both sides can properly settle this incident and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability," he said.

The clashes marked the latest round of escalation of border tensions between the two countries, which often accuse each other of sheltering terrorists who launch deadly cross- border attacks on each other's soils.

Both the countries deny the accusations.