BEIJING: China stands ready to continue efforts to ease tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Monday. “The most urgent task is to avoid the expansion of the war and return the two countries to the negotiating table as soon as possible,” Lin said. China urges Pakistan, Afghanistan to resolve tensions via talks, not force “China is willing to continue to make efforts to achieve reconciliation and ease relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan,” he said, adding that Beijing has been mediating between both sides in recent days.