ISLAMABAD – China has asked third country Afghanistan to join CPEC megaproject.

Chinese Ambassador Yao Jing on Monday urged Afghanistan to join the Belt &Road Initiative as well as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) andsaid that Kabul was a “natural partner” of the mega-project.

“Afghanistan can also act as a bridge to help expand connectivity betweenEast, South and Central Asian regions. It [Afghanistan] would benefit fromjoining CPEC and BRI as the projects aim at social and economic developmentin Pakistan and would provide more trade opportunities,” the Chinese envoysaid while addressing the participants at the opening session of the 4thTrilateral Dialogue between China, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The event was hosted by Pakistan, China Institute (PCI) in collaborationwith Konrad Adenauer Stiftung at a local hotel here.