BEIJING, Feb. 13 -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi says China is ready to play the role of a mediator in Afghanistan if required by all parties concerned in the war-ravaged country. Wang was speaking in Islamabad, where he arrived on a two-day visit for talks on key bilateral issues, including the strategic economic corridor project.

Wang said with the withdrawal of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, Afghanistan has entered an important period of transition. China has pledged 327 million US dollars in economic aid to Kabul through 2017. Wang said China believes it's time to end such a situation. He said he has a "strong sense" that Pakistan has a "strong will to take a constructive part in the resolution of this matter."