China appoints Sun Yuxi as special envoy to Afghanistan

China has appointed its former Ambassador to India Sun Yuxi as special envoy to Afghanistan amid efforts to bring about regional consensus to deal with the fragile situation arising due to the US' plans to withdraw troops from the war-torn country.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry announced that Sun -- a veteran diplomat who has successively held the posts of the Chinese Ambassador to Afghanistan, India, Italy and Poland -- will be the special envoy of Afghanistan.

‘China and Afghanistan are neighbours that enjoy long-standing friendship. China follows closely the development of the situation in Afghanistan and stays committed to deepening the strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries,’ the announcement said.

‘In this connection, we decide to establish a special envoy on Afghan Affairs, so as to step up the communication with Afghanistan and all parties concerned and safeguard lasting peace, stability and development of Afghanistan and the region,’ it said. The appointment came amid a political deadlock after the recent presidential elections between Abdullah Abdullah and Ashraf Ghani.