China on Friday said that the talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan under its mediation to end their conflict "advanced steadily", two days after officials from the three sides met in the Chinese city of Urumqi.
A day after parrying questions over the Pakistan-Afghanistan talks, the Chinese foreign ministry on Friday said that both sides are willing to meet and discuss a way out to end their armed conflict.
"The consultation process is being implemented and advanced steadily," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a media briefing here.
This is the second time China has sought to mediate between two of its neighbours who had been fighting despite Beijing's calls to agree on a ceasefire and hold direct talks.
They, however, agreed to a temporary ceasefire during the Eid al-Fitr holiday last month following calls from some Islamic countries.
"Since the Pakistan-Afghanistan conflict escalated again, China has made mediation efforts in its own way, maintained close communication with both sides via multiple channels and at multiple levels, and created conditions and provided platforms for dialogue between the two sides," Mao said.
She said both Pakistan and Afghanistan value and welcome China's mediation and are willing to sit down and talk again.
"The three sides have had common understandings and agreements on specific matters regarding the process, including media reports," she said, without elaborating.
Earlier, Pakistan, in an apparent defiance of Chinese diplomacy, last month conducted a massive airstrike on a drug rehabilitation centre in Kabul in which over 400 people were killed, according to the Taliban government.
The Afghan Foreign Ministry said it sent a “mid-level” delegation to Urumqi at Beijing’s request.
The conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan intensified in recent months over Islamabad’s allegations of Kabul harbouring the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) militants.
Afghanistan consistently denied and asked Pakistan to take action, as these groups are active in Pakistani provinces.