BEIJING – China on Thursday said the support and participation from theinternational community, especially from the regional countries, isindispensable for the political settlement of the Afghan issue.

“The Chinese side supports Russia’s positive efforts in promoting peace andreconciliation in Afghanistan,” Chinese foreign ministry’s spokesperson LuKang said while commenting on Russian invitation to 12 countries to attenda meeting on Afghan issue to be held in Moscow on September 4, during hisregular briefing held here.

“We are in communication with the Russian side on the Moscow meeting,” hesaid and added, China is willing to make concerted efforts with all partiesto help Afghanistan achieve peace, stability and prosperity at an earlydate.Russia has invited the Taliban and 12 countries, including Afghanistan andthe United States, to the Moscow talks.

The Russian foreign ministry said other countries invited to the talksinclude Pakistan, China, Iran, India, and the five former Soviet republicsin Central Asia.