*ISLAMABAD – China will welcome Afghanistan to become part of CPEC as theeconomic corridor will help bring about peace in Afghanistan, said theChinese ambassador in Pakistan.*

Yao Jing, China’s ambassador in Pakistan, told *SAMAA* that it will be apositive move. “Economic cooperation will also bring about peace inAfghanistan,” he said. “Reconciliatory process is the only way forward inAfghanistan.”

He spoke to *SAMAA* at a seminar on regional peace in Islamabad on Tuesday.The Afghan ambassador to Pakistan said at the seminar that his countrywould benefit from becoming part of CPEC.

“CPEC could be extended and also could be involved in Afghanistan,” hesaid. “I think that this is a very natural development for China. Ofcourse, right now, consult and discuss with the regional partners. That iswhy China is holding the second round of practical cooperation among China,Pakistan and Afghanistan.”

Pakistan and Afghanistan have been uneasy neighbours ever since Pakistan’sindependence in 1947. China has recently been trying to help promote talksbetween the two countries.

In December last year, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that China andPakistan will look at extending their $57 billion China-Pakistan EconomicCorridor to Afghanistan.