China and Russia Emphasize Greater Coordination on Afghanistan

In a joint statement released during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Putin have called for expanded coordination and cooperation on Afghanistan.

The two leaders highlighted the importance of supporting Afghanistan's efforts to combat terrorism. They also warned against the use of Afghan soil for activities that could threaten neighboring countries.

According to the statement, terrorism continues to represent a serious threat to both regional and global security. To address these challenges and promote lasting stability, the leaders pointed to several existing regional platforms.

These include the Moscow Format as well as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. The statement further mentions the China-Russia-Pakistan-Iran quadrilateral mechanism as a means for enhanced cooperation.

China and Russia pledged to expand their bilateral and multilateral cooperation in this regard. The joint statement specifically calls for increased counter-terrorism collaboration with the Afghan capital of Kabul.

It also lends support to Afghanistan's initiatives aimed at achieving peace and long-term stability. The emphasis on these issues reflects shared concerns over security in the region.

The leaders' agreement comes amid ongoing international discussions about the situation in Afghanistan and ways to ensure it does not pose risks to surrounding nations. Both nations aim to utilize these diplomatic avenues to contribute to regional peace.