China on Tuesday welcomed the resumption of diplomatic ties between Tehran and Islamabad following recent air strikes against each other, assuring Islamabad of its support in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

As China’s Foreign Minister Sun Weidong visited Pakistan on a mediation mission, a Foreign Ministry statement on Monday said it was maintaining close contacts with Pakistan and Iran to “bridge their differences”.

China offered to play a “constructive role” in reducing tensions between Pakistan and Iran following missile attacks against each other on January 18 and asked both countries to “exercise restraint and calmness and avoid escalating tensions”. .

Earlier on January 18, Pakistan had carried out “precision military strikes” against “terrorist targets” in Iran’s Sistan-Baluchistan province, killing 9 people.

The attack was seen as retaliation for Iranian missile and drone attacks on January 16 that targeted two bases of the Sunni Baloch militant group Jaish al-Adl in Pakistan’s uncontrolled Balochistan province.

Commenting on China’s mediation efforts to ease Iran-Pakistan tensions, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a media briefing here on Tuesday that “China welcomes the good progress made by Iran and Pakistan in improving their relations.” welcomes and supports them in further enhancing mutual relations.” To deepen trust and cooperation through friendly consultation.”

Regarding his meeting with Pakistan President Arif Ali on Monday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry quoted Sun as saying that China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic cooperative partners.

Sun is a former ambassador to both Pakistan and India.

Sun told Alvi that China appreciates Pakistan’s firm adherence to the one-China principle and “supports Pakistan in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity as well as its unity, stability, development and prosperity.” Is.”

He also said, China will work with Pakistan to advance the important common understanding reached between the leaders of the two countries, deepen political mutual trust, expand practical cooperation, and upgrade the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Willing to do. “Accelerate the building of a close China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era.”

Sun held talks with several Pakistani officials, including Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir, during which he assured Pakistan of China’s support in protecting its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He also attended an important meeting of the US$60 billion CPEC, which India protested against as it is being built through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Wang Wenbin reiterated his stance on mediation and said in response to a question: “We are willing to work with Iran and Pakistan to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation and safeguard regional peace, stability and development.” Iran and Pakistan have mutually agreed that the ambassadors of both the countries can return to their respective posts by January 26. Following air strikes against each other, both countries expelled each other’s envoys.

The attacks have put China in a difficult position as Pakistan is an all-time ally, while Iran has been warming towards Beijing in recent years, enabling China to increase its influence in the West Asia region. China also imports a large amount of oil from Iran.

Meanwhile, Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu in a phone conversation with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani asked him to reduce tensions, while Sun visited Islamabad from January 20 to 22.

China is also concerned about Iran’s missile attacks in Balochistan, where most of its investments are located, especially at Gwadar port, the starting point of the CPEC project that connects to China’s Xinjiang province.

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)