China, Afghanistan and Pakistan held their first trilateral strategic dialogue on Feb 9, with senior diplomats gathering to work out a pragmatic approach to solving demanding problems brought by long-standing terrorism and turmoil.

China voiced support for initiatives boosting connectivity projects and economic integration between Pakistan and Afghanistan, including a water-storage dam project, according to the Foreign Ministry.

The three countries named terrorism, extremism and separatism as the “major threats to regional security and stability”, and they agreed to deepen corporation in those areas.

The trilateral was a helpful piloting effort of the three countries to address “the rapidly changing regional situation and to boost trilateral communication and cooperation”, the ministry said.

Wang Xu, a South Asian studies researcher at Peking University, said the trilateral format “may better address concerns, core interests and strategic intentions of each other”.

China’s proactive response and support of Pakistan-Afghanistan projects that matter to local residents’ well-being “mirrored Beijing’s philosophy of eliminating terrorists－addressing both symptoms and root causes”－and it gives due respect to both neighbors, Wang said.

Afghanistan said it hopes China and Pakistan will continue to play a constructive role in boosting Afghanistan-Pakistan interaction and cooperation. China has said it welcomes efforts by Afghanistan and Pakistan to boost their strategic trust and improve mutually beneficial relations.

Within the framework of trilateral strategic dialogues, China said it will ask to Afghanistan and Pakistan to invite delegations of lawmakers, media, diplomats, friendly figures and think tanks to visit China, according to the meeting on Feb 9.

Pakistan will hold the fifth Foreign Ministers’ Meeting of the Istanbul Process on Afghanistan this year, and China and Afghanistan expressed support.

The three neighbors agreed to hold another round of the strategic dialogue at an appropriate time and place. Specifics will be determined through diplomatic channels.