Afghanistan wants China to open its border in a bid to combat terrorism, Rangin Dadfar Spanta, the Afghan foreign minister, said yesterday.

During a speech in Beijing at the China Institute of International Studies, Spanta said "a triangle of terrorism" - his country's major challenge -"presents existential threats not only to Afghanistan but also to the region and the world's peace and stability".

He said the "triangle" comprised Al-Qaida, the Taliban and external support.