The US should recognise Pakistan’s “important role” in Afghanistan and respect its sovereignty and legitimate security concerns, China’s top diplomat told Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, defending Beijing’s all-weather ally for a second time in as many days.
State Councillor Yang Jiechi’s remarks came two days after US President Donald Trump sternly warned Pakistan against providing safe heavens to terrorists.
Trump on Tuesday unveiled his Afghan policy and also sought an enhanced role for India in bringing peace in the war-ravaged country.
Yang during a phone call with Tillerson yesterday defended Pakistan’s role in Afghanistan.
“We should attach importance to Pakistan’s important role in Afghanistan and respect Pakistan’s sovereignty and legitimate security concerns,” Yang said. Elaborating on Yang’s intervention expressing full backing for Pakistan, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told the media here that China “valued Pakistan’s role in Afghanistan issue and respect Pakistan’s sovereign and reasonable security concerns”.