Wang Yi Photo: CGTN

As important neighbors of Afghanistan and influential countries in the region, China, Russia, Pakistan and Iran need to strengthen communication and coordination, make unanimous voices, exert positive influence and play a constructive role in promoting the smooth transition of the situation in Afghanistan, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said with senior officials from Russia, Pakistan and Iran at an informal meeting on Afghanistan in the Tajik capital of Dushanbe on Thursday. 

Countries in the region expect the new Afghan government to be inclusive, anti-terrorist, and friendly to neighbors, Wang stressed.

Wang made five proposals on the next-stage coordination on the Afghan issue, including urging the US to perform its duties to provide economic and humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, contacting and guiding Afghanistan to form an inclusive political structure and implement moderate domestic and foreign policies and respect the basic rights of ethnic minorities, women and children, help the country to integrate itself into regional economic cooperation and connectivity networks, and achieve economic development and prevent spillover of security risks. 

The informal meeting was also attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Assistant to Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Rasoul Mousavi.

In a talk with Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Dushanbe, Wang said that China is ready to strengthen coordination with Russia to jointly handle the issue of Afghanistan, urge US-led Western countries to shoulder their responsibility and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability. 

He called on Russia to communicate and coordinate with China within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to jointly maintain peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region, and to work together to respond to various global challenges.

Not long ago, the two countries' foreign ministers jointly attended the 76th anniversary of the victory in World War II and made a loud voice that history cannot be tampered with and the truth cannot be obliterated, Wang said.

Lavrov said that the commemoration held by Russia and China for victory in World War II had once again proven the unbreakable friendship and indestructible partnership between the two countries.

The Russian Foreign Minister noted that his country firmly supports China's position on the issues of Xinjiang, Hong Kong, Tibet and human rights.

Russia supports China in hosting the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games and wishes Chinese athletes can achieve good results, and is ready to work with China to push the SCO to exert greater influence, strengthen coordination on the Afghan issue and jointly safeguard peace and stability in Central Asia, Lavrov said.

In a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian,Wang said that China supports Iran to become a member of the SCO, is willing to work with Iran to strengthen coordination and cooperation in regional and international affairs, jointly promote the Iran nuclear agreement negotiations to adhere to the correct direction and reach a consensus as soon as possible. China is also ready to work with Iran to promote Afghanistan to form an inclusive political framework, maintain friendly relations with its neighbors, and take practical actions to crack down on all forms of terrorism, Wang said.