China tries to unite Pak and Afghanistan with $57 billion CPEC deal

Beijing, Dec 27: Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday, that oppurtunity will also be given to Afghanistan in China and Pakistan's $57 billion CPEC, a part of China's ambitious Belt and Road Initiative linking China with Asia, Europe and beyond.

China has tried to position itself as a helpful party to promote talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan, both uneasy neighbours ever since Pakistan's independence in 1947.

Their ties have been poisoned in recent years by Afghan accusations that Pakistan is supporting Taliban insurgents fighting the US-backed Kabul in order to limit the influence of its old rival, India, in Afghanistan.

Pakistan denies that and says it wants to see a peaceful, stable Afghanistan.

Speaking after the first trilateral meeting between the foreign ministers of China, Pakistan and Afghanistan, Wang said China hoped the economic corridor could benefit the whole region and act as an impetus for development.