BEIJING -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday exchanged views with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken over phone on the situation in Afghanistan and bilateral ties.

The Taliban should announce a clean break with extremism, opt for an orderly transfer of power and establish an inclusive government, the top U.S. diplomat said, expressing hope that China will also play an important role to this end.

For his part, Wang expounded China's stance on the situation in Afghanistan, saying that facts have once again proved that mechanically copying an imported foreign model cannot readily be fitted to the use in a country with completely different history, culture and national conditions, and ultimately, is unlikely to establish itself.

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TEHRAN -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Tuesday called for expansion of ties between Tehran and Jakarta.

In a message for his Indonesian counterpart Joko Widodo, Raisi congratulated Indonesia on its Independence Day, highlighting the bilateral cooperation which could have constructive influences on the international peace and stability.

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VIENTIANE -- China remains the largest foreign investor in Laos, undertaking a total of 813 projects worth over 16 billion U.S. dollars, Lao official has said.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning and Investment Sonexay Siphandone said during the fifth Workshop between Lao and Chinese entrepreneurs last Friday that China remains the largest foreign investor in Laos, according to a report by Lao National Radio on Tuesday.

"China also plays a significant role in special economic zone investments, with the Lao government having authorized 89 projects worth over 215 million U.S. dollars," Sonexay added.

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UNITED NATIONS -- United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday called for efforts to uphold human rights in Afghanistan and to prevent the country from again becoming a safe haven for terrorist organizations.

Speaking at an emergency meeting of the Security Council on Afghanistan as the Taliban are retaking the capital city of Kabul, Guterres called on the international community to be united and to use all available means to ensure the two principles.

"First, we must speak with one voice to uphold human rights in Afghanistan. I call upon the Taliban and all parties to respect and protect international humanitarian law and the rights and freedoms of all persons," he said. Enditem

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