China's Xi Jinping Message Eases Pakistan-Afghanistan Border Conflict

• China's mediation, including a message from President Xi Jinping, has helped ease recent intense fighting between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
• Pakistani officials confirmed a message from Xi to cease hostilities was delivered via Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong to PM Shehbaz Sharif.
• No Pakistani air strikes reported recently, and ground fighting along the 2,600-km border has tapered off, though daily clashes persist.
• China's Special Envoy Yue Xiaoyong is shuttling between the countries, and Foreign Minister Wang Yi discussed the conflict with Pakistan's Ishaq Dar.
• Beijing, a major investor in both nations, aims to prevent escalation and bring both parties back to the negotiating table.