BEIJING – Welcoming Afghan president’s offer of talks with Taliban, aChinese foreign ministry’s spokesperson said on Thursday that China waswilling to provide assistance to the Afghan reconciliation and peacefulreconstruction process as its capacity allowed.

“China is willing to provide assistance to the Afghan reconciliation andpeaceful reconstruction process as our capacity allows,” Hua Chunying saidduring her regular briefing held here.

She said that China always supported the Afghan-led and Afghan-ownedextensive and exclusive reconciliation process and urged all the relevantparties in Afghanistan to address their difference through dialogue andconsultation.

The spokesperson said that the Chinese side highly appreciated efforts madeby the government and President Asharf Ghani for reconciliation.

“We hope all relevant parties can work for the shared goal, enhancedialogue and consultations, discard difference and achieve the lastingpeace, development and stability in Afghanistan as well as possible,” sheadded.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani had offered recognition of the Taliban as alegitimate political group as part of a proposed political process that hesaid could lead to talks aimed at ending more than 16 years of war. – APP