China defends Pakistan ahead of SCO

China on Monday said one country alone cannot tackle the scourge of terrorism, skirting the mention of Pakistan.

China's Assistant Foreign Minister Li Huilai steered clear of Pakistan when asked to comment on Afghanistan blaming Pakistan and the Haqqani terror outfit for the deadly bombing that killed over 90 people in Kabul last week.

He was talking to the media before the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) annual meet on June 8 where India and Pakistan will be admitted to the six-member grouping.

"At present the international community in terms of opposing terrorism has a highly agreed and broad consensus, and all parties emphasise that to tackle the menace posed by terrorism is not something that one party or one country alone can do," Li said.

"The international community should stop cooperation and work together and jointly tackle the scourge of terrorism." he added.

Afghanistan is an observer state in SCO.

China stands willing to work together with other parties bilaterally and multi-laterally to fight terrorism. Li added.

--IANS

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