Beijing has voiced strong concern over the recent violent clashes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border and has called on both neighboring nations to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens and investments in the region, according to China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Tensions flared late Saturday night when intense fighting broke out between Pakistani and Afghan forces, continuing into early Sunday. Pakistan’s military media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), reported that 23 Pakistani soldiers were martyred, while over 200 Taliban fighters and their affiliates were killed during retaliatory operations by Islamabad.

Kabul, however, claimed responsibility for the offensive, describing it as a “retaliatory action” in response to alleged Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan territory earlier in the week. Pakistan has neither confirmed nor denied carrying out the strikes but maintains that Afghanistan must prevent the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) from using its soil to launch cross-border attacks.

Afghanistan has rejected Pakistan’s allegations, insisting that it does not allow any militant groups to operate from within its borders.

China, which shares a narrow border with both Afghanistan and Pakistan in its western Xinjiang region, has expressed growing concern about the escalation. Beijing has positioned itself as a neutral mediator seeking to stabilize relations between the two South Asian neighbors.

“China is willing to continue to play a constructive role in improving and developing Pakistan-Afghanistan relations,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said during a routine press briefing.

Lin urged both sides to stay calm and exercise restraint, stressing that disputes should be resolved through “dialogue and consultation” to prevent further escalation.

China has been actively engaging with both nations to promote peace and regional stability. In August, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended a high-level meeting in Kabul alongside his Pakistani and Afghan counterparts, calling for enhanced communication and cooperation.

Just weeks before that, Beijing had hosted an informal trilateral dialogue where Kabul and Islamabad agreed to strengthen diplomatic engagement and expand collaboration.

As border tensions rise, China’s call for peace highlights its growing interest in maintaining stability in a region critical to its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and broader strategic interests.