Chinese FM to attend Islamabad meet on Afghanistan

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will attend the fifth ministerial-level regional conference on Afghanistan, to be held in Pakistan next week, and expound on Beijing's initiative to achieve national reconciliation in the war-torn country.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said today that Wang was invited by Sartaj Aziz, advisor to Pakistan's prime minister on foreign affairs, and Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Salahuddin Rabbani.
The Istanbul Process on Afghanistan conference, scheduled in Islamabad from December 8 to 10, is themed on strengthening cooperation, coping with security challenges and promoting economic communication.
Wang will push forward China's stance and policy on the Afghan issue and introduce China's efforts to help Afghanistan's peaceful reconstruction and national reconciliation, as well as the measures China has taken to promote cooperation between Afghanistan's bordering areas since the fourth conference and its future plan, Hua said.

Asked about reports about the reported death of Taliban leaderMullah Akhtar Mansour after sustaining injuries in a gun battle, Hua said China is verifying these reports.
Mansour was critically injured in a gunfight on Wednesday in an argument with commanders in the militant group.

China had earlier shown interest in getting involved in Afghanistan political process by promoting peace talks between Taliban and Afghanistan government along with Pakistan but its efforts suffered a set back following the collapse of peace talks after the death of Taliban leader, Mullah Omar.
Hua said China was ready to work with all sides to promote the Istanbul process to play a positive role in promoting peace and stability in Afghanistan.

Inaugurated in 2011, the Istanbul Process is the only Afghanistan-related cooperation mechanism led by regional countries in an aim to promote peace and prosperity in Afghanistan.
The fourth conference was held in Beijing in October 2014.