China hopes for improved Afghanistan-Pakistan ties

China voiced support for Afghanistan and Pakistan to enhance trust and improve relations after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani wrapped up his two-day visit to Pakistan.

"Both Afghanistan and Pakistan are good neighbors and friends of China. China sincerely hopes they can increase communication, trust, cooperation and improve relations," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said.

This will help both countries to jointly address common challenges and realize their own national stability and development as well as regional peace and stability, Hong said, adding that China will continue to play a constructive role in improving their bilateral relations.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif met with visiting Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Saturday in Islamabad. Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan's support for the intra-Afghan reconciliation process that the new government is initiating.

Ghani called for the two nations to turn a new page in their relationship and not permit the past to destroy the future.

The visit gave a positive note as both countries managed to banish years of mistrust and build a relationship marked by political, security and economic cooperation.

Pakistan and Afghanistan often accused each other of failing to stop the cross-border movement of militants responsible for attacks on security forces and civilians. Kabul claims Afghan Taliban have hideouts in Pakistan while Islamabad insists the Pakistani Taliban have fled to Afghanistan and now operate from its border regions.