THE REUTERS-QUOTED US STATE DEPARTMENT official was correct in seeing the Istanbul Process meeting in Beijing as "a real demonstration of China's commitment to Afghanistan".

The new aid packages Premier Li Keqiang announced, along with the five-point proposal about the Afghan issue, are proof that Beijing's rhetoric about "firm support" will not be what he warned against, merely "verbal commitment".

While speculation about US-China geopolitical gaming in the war-torn country has little foothold in reality, Chinese interest in a peaceful and stable neighbor is real and unmistakable.