ISTANBUL

Talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan are "advancing steadily," China said on Friday.

The two South Asian neighbors are holding talks through mediation by Beijing in the northwestern Urumqi city, following weeks of border clashes between the two neighbors.

"The consultation process is being implemented and advanced steadily. The three sides have had common understandings and agreements on specific matters regarding the process," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a news conference in Beijing.

Since the Pakistan-Afghanistan conflict escalated, China has made mediation efforts in "its own way, maintained close communication with both sides via multiple channels and at multiple levels, and created conditions and provided platforms for dialogue between the two sides," Mao said.

Both Islamabad and Kabul "value and welcome China’s mediation and are willing to sit down and talk again. This is good," Mao added.

The latest round of border clashes began late February, when Islamabad launched airstrikes inside Afghanistan, following a series of deadly attacks across Pakistan by militants loyal to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), for which Islamabad accused Kabul of sheltering them and failing to take action against them.

Kabul denies the accusations that the TTP militants use Afghan soil against Pakistan.

According to officials from the two countries, dozens of civilians, soldiers, and militants have been killed on both sides of the border.

The two sides had agreed to a week-long ceasefire on the eve of Eid al-Fitr, one of the main Muslim festivals, on March 18, following requests from Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.