China says it supports Pakistan-Afghanistan ceasefire

BEIJING: China supports countries in exercising restraint and realising a full and lasting ceasefire, its foreign ministry said on Thursday, when asked about Pakistan and Afghanistan agreeing to a 48-hour ceasefire.

China stands ready to continue to play a constructive role for continued improvement in the two countries' relations, Lin Jian, a spokesperson for the foreign ministry, told a regular press briefing.

Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban administration have agreed to a temporary ceasefire for 48 hours starting 6:00 p.m. Pakistan local time (1300 GMT) on Wednesday, Islamabad said, after fresh fighting erupted between the neighbours.


Both Pakistan and Afghanistan will make sincere efforts, through dialogue, to find a positive solution to the complex yet resolvable issue, Pakistan's foreign ministry said in a statement.