China's foreign affairs spokesperson confirmed Afghanistan and Pakistan had met from April 1-7 in northern China, where they agreed to "refrain from actions that may escalate or complicate" their conflict and "discuss a comprehensive plan" to resolve bilateral issues, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported on April 8. While the spokesperson provided scant detail on what a comprehensive plan would entail, the spokesperson did say Beijing "stressed" terrorism was the "core" issue challenging Afghanistan-Pakistan relations.

The update is among the first substantial reports on Afghanistan and Pakistan's talks in northern China, as Beijing attempts to mediate an end to the weeks-long conflict. Fighting between the countries has seemingly eased in recent weeks, but Afghanistan has periodically accused Pakistan of striking border towns during the talks, and the clashes remain the two sides' most enduring and severe in recent years.