China seeks to revive Urumqi peace process as Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions rise

China has stepped up diplomatic efforts to ease rising tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, pushing Islamabad and the Afghan Taliban towards a fresh round of peace talks.

The latest initiative comes as cross-border tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan remain a major security concern. Beijing, in an attempt to enhance its sphere of influence in the region, is seeking to bring the two sides back to the negotiating table and create a formal mechanism for dealing with border security and militant threats.

According to News18, China’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan Yue Xiaoyong recently held high-level discussions in Islamabad, marking his second visit to Pakistan in five weeks.

During the visit, Yue discussed the possibility of holding a second round of China-mediated talks in Urumqi, the capital of China’s Xinjiang region.

China pushes for Urumqi talks

Yue held consultations with senior Pakistani officials, including Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Ambassador Asif Durrani. The discussions focused on reviving the diplomatic process and finding ways to prevent further military escalation along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

Beijing is pitching dialogue as a way to replace unilateral military action with a more structured system of security cooperation. The proposed Urumqi meeting is expected to build on earlier discussions and push both sides towards specific commitments on border management.

China’s approach reflects its growing interest in preventing instability along its western borders and protecting its economic and strategic interests in the region.

TTP, ETIM remain key security concerns

Counter-terrorism is expected to remain at the centre of any new round of talks. Pakistan has repeatedly raised concerns over the presence of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants and their alleged safe havens inside Afghanistan.

Islamabad wants the Afghan Taliban government to take verifiable steps against groups that it says are using Afghan territory to carry out attacks inside Pakistan.

China also has its own security concerns. Beijing remains particularly focused on the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), which it considers a security threat. Any instability in the region could also affect Chinese citizens, projects and infrastructure linked to its economic interests.

The two sides have therefore stressed the importance of intelligence sharing and stronger counter-terrorism coordination, while urging the Afghan interim government to fulfil its security commitments.

Beijing seeks long-term border stability

Yue’s quick return to Islamabad underlines China’s expanding role in efforts to manage tensions between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban. Beijing has increasingly sought to position itself as a mediator in Afghanistan and the wider region.

A second Urumqi meeting could focus on practical measures such as joint border monitoring, security guarantees and mechanisms for dealing with militant threats.

For China, preventing another escalation is also linked to protecting regional trade routes and its wider economic interests.