DID Press: China has held consultations with senior European Union officials in Istanbul as part of renewed efforts to reactivate the so-called “Urumqi Process,” focused on Afghanistan and regional security.
According to reports, China’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan Yue Xiaoyong arrived in Istanbul on Tuesday and met with senior officials from the European Union to discuss regional developments and the future of trilateral engagement involving China, Pakistan, and the Taliban.
The meeting was attended by senior EU External Action Service officials, including Eric Kurzweil and EU Special Representative for Afghanistan Gilles Bertrand. Yue said on X that the discussions were constructive and focused on regional development, stability, and prospects for lasting peace in Afghanistan.
The “Urumqi Process” is a Chinese diplomatic initiative launched earlier this year in Urumqi with participation from China, Pakistan, and the Taliban. It aims to reduce tensions between Kabul and Islamabad, establish mechanisms to counter security threats, and strengthen political trust among the parties.
Observers say the renewed diplomatic activity signals Beijing’s growing role in shaping regional frameworks for stability in Afghanistan.