Pakistan's News International on July 8, reported that the China-Afghanistan-Pakistan Trilateral Vice Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue’s third round was convened virtually on July 7. As the Afghan peace process entered a critical phase, Beijing and Islamabad, while calling for a humanitarian ceasefire and violence reduction, appreciated the Ghani government’s and related stakeholders’ efforts in expediting prisoners’ exchange in order to commence intra-Afghan negotiations. Pakistan’s Foreign Office was quoted saying that “the 'Afghan-led, Afghan-owned' peace reconciliation process, the launch of intra-Afghan negotiations at an early date, the preservation of the gains since 2001” would have China and Pakistan’s support to ensure “early restoration of peace and stability in Afghanistan”. The three nations decided to improve security cooperation and counter-terrorism to combat terror networks and forces including the “East Turkistan Islamic Movement”. Pakistan and Afghanistan also agreed to enhance bilateral relations.
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