BEIJING: China has appointed a former ambassador to both Afghanistan and India Sun Yuxi as a special envoy for Afghanistan.
In a statement, the Chinese foreign ministry in Beijing said that China has appointed its envoy in the backdrop of withdrawal of NATO troops from Afghanistan. It said that the withdrawal of troops will leave a hotbed militancy on its door step.
“China and Afghanistan are traditional friendly neighbors. China pays great attention to developments in Afghanistan and is committed to deepening both countries’ strategic partnership, and so decided to appoint a special envoy,” the ministry said.
The envoy’s appointment will also help “ensure lasting peace, stability and development for Afghanistan and the region”, the ministry added.