Wang Yi Meets with Acting Foreign Minister of the Afghan Taliban's Interim Government Amir Khan Muttaqi

On October 26, 2021 local time, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is visiting Qatar, met with Acting Foreign Minister of the Afghan Taliban's Interim Government Amir Khan Muttaqi in Doha.

Wang Yi said that China is Afghanistan's neighboring country and the two peoples enjoy long-lasting and friendly exchanges. China respects Afghanistan's pursuit of its own development path and governance model that suit its national conditions, Afghanistan's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, as well as the objective reality of the Afghan interim government's rule throughout the country. We hope that the Afghan Taliban will unite all ethnic groups and factions in Afghanistan to work together to achieve stability and restore development, and ensure that the country's future is truly within the Afghan people's grasp. China is willing to work with the international community to truly implement the "Afghan-owned and Afghan-led" principle in Afghanistan and play a constructive role in this regard.

Wang Yi said that China has been concerned about the current difficulties in Afghanistan, in particular the potential outbreak of a humanitarian crisis, and will continue to provide humanitarian aid to Afghanistan within its capacity. In addition to the first batch of the humanitarian aid which already arrived in Kabul, China will continue to provide more emergency material assistance to Afghanistan through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the UN Refugee Agency, and with the concerted efforts of China's provinces and autonomous regions. China appreciates the Afghan Taliban's understanding of and emphasis on China's major security concerns and believes that the Afghan Taliban will take more resolute and practical measures to crack down on the international terrorist force of the East Turkestan Islamic Movement. Once the security situation in Afghanistan is stabilized, China will discuss with Afghanistan the cooperation in the field of economic reconstruction and support the country to boost its connectivity with the region and its capability to seek independent development by giving full play to its geographical advantage as "the heart of Asia".

Amir Khan Muttaqi said that the situation in Afghanistan has been gradually stabilized since the new Afghan government started its real rule in the country. Afghanistan extremely cherishes peace after 45 years of war, and is willing to conduct equal and friendly cooperation with other countries. The friendly relationship with China is vital to Afghanistan. Afghanistan thinks highly of China's principle of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs, and longs for communication and all-around cooperation with China. Afghanistan appreciates China's support and aid, which will be used to improve the Afghan people's livelihood and achieve independent development. Afghanistan will exert its utmost efforts to realize domestic security and stability, and contribute to regional peace and security. He stressed that the Afghan Taliban will never allow anyone or any force to use the Afghan territory to do anything to harm China.

The two sides agreed to establish a liaison mechanism to discuss the contacts in the next stage.