China said on Monday its special envoy had spent a week mediating between Afghanistan and Pakistan and had urged an immediate ceasefire after deadly cross-border clashes flared.

South Asian neighbours Pakistan and Afghanistan have had a strained relationship for months, after dozens of people were killed in fighting in October last year.

Islamabad accuses Afghanistan of harbouring militants from the Pakistani Taliban, who have claimed responsibility for a series of deadly attacks in Pakistan, as well as from the local offshoot of the Islamic State group.

The Afghan Taliban authorities deny the charge.

"China has consistently mediated the conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan through its own channels," Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a regular news briefing.

The Foreign Ministry also said on Monday it had sent its special envoy for Afghan affairs to both countries to mediate the conflict.

A separate ministry statement published on Monday said special envoy Yue Xiaoyong had visited the two countries between March 7 and 14.

In Afghanistan, Yue met Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi as well as the minister of commerce and industry.

Yue also held meetings with high-level officials in Pakistan, including Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch.

"He urged both sides to maintain calm and restraint, to implement an immediate ceasefire and cessation of hostilities, and to resolve their contradictions and differences through dialogue," the ministry's statement said. (AFP)


Edited by Edmond Fong