China is ready to strengthen “friendly and cooperative” relations with Afghanistan, a government spokeswoman averred on Monday, after the Taliban reportedly took control over the region.
Beijing has decided to maintain informal ties with the Taliban against the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, after the attack, which prompted the Islamist hardliners across the country and witnessed them dominate over the capital Kabul on Sunday.
China has a 76-kilometre (47-mile) border with Afghanistan. The previous month, the senior-most Taliban delegation met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Tianjin with a certainty that Afghanistan would not be used as a functional base for militants. Nevertheless, in return, China provided economic support and heavy funds by investing in Afghanistan’s reconstruction. On Monday, China added, “It welcomed the chance to deepen ties with Afghanistan, a country that has for generations been coveted for its geo-strategic importance by bigger powers.”
“The Taliban have repeatedly expressed their hope to develop good relations with China, and that they look forward to China’s participation in the reconstruction and development of Afghanistan,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters.
“We welcome this. China respects the right of the Afghan people to independently determine their own destiny and is willing to continue to develop… friendly and cooperative relations with Afghanistan.”
Hua informed the Taliban to: “ensure a smooth transition” of power and keep its promises to negotiate the establishment of an “open and inclusive Islamic government” and ensure the safety of Afghans and foreign citizens.
Interestingly, the Chinese embassy in Kabul continues to remain operational, Hua added, although Beijing began evacuating Chinese citizens from the country months ago amid the deteriorating security situation.
In an official statement on Monday, the embassy instructed Chinese citizens left in Afghanistan to pay close attention to the security situation and stay indoors safely.
US President Joe Biden assured a complete migration of US troops by September 11. In hindsight, Washington was left shocked by the incidental collapse and destruction of the Afghan government and the Taliban’s forging ahead with equal ease. The Taliban has reassured the international community that Afghans won’t be affected by this attack and will not take harm the supporters of the US-backed alliance.
The United States previously released a statement to the Taliban to release the residents and let them evacuate to safer places with an attached warning of accountability for any abuses.
