Wang Yi Holds Talks with Acting Foreign Minister of the Afghan Interim Government Amir Khan Muttaqi

On March 24, 2022 local time, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Acting Foreign Minister of the Afghan Interim Government Amir Khan Muttaqi in Kabul.

Muttaqi welcomed Wang Yi and his delegation to visit Afghanistan. He said, this is the most important high-level delegation received by Afghanistan, which will further enhance the time-honored friendly relations between Afghanistan and China. Muttaqi thanked China for its invaluable assistance to Afghanistan, especially its humanitarian supplies to the Afghan people in urgent need during the winter. The Afghan people have weathered the difficult winter and are embracing the new spring. Afghanistan is confident of further improving its security environment, stabilizing and controlling the situation, and ensuring the security of foreign institutions and personnel in Afghanistan. Afghanistan is willing to be a bridge of regional connectivity and a place of happiness and prosperity for its people, rather than a source of war and turbulence. Afghanistan is ready to actively participate in Belt and Road cooperation and strengthen trade and investment cooperation with China. Afghanistan is willing to deepen friendly exchanges with neighboring countries, and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability.

Wang Yi said that China and Afghanistan are friendly neighbors linked by mountains and rivers, and the two countries enjoy a history of exchanges over a thousand years. China respects the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Afghanistan, respects the independent choices made by the Afghan people, and respects Afghanistan's religious beliefs and national customs. China has never interfered in Afghanistan's internal affairs, never sought self-interest or spheres of influence in Afghanistan. China will continue to be a partner and friend of the Afghan people, help Afghanistan achieve true independence and independent development and take its future into its own hands.

Wang Yi said, we have noticed that the Afghan interim government has actively responded to the concerns of the international community and achieved some tangible results. We oppose the political pressure and economic sanctions on Afghanistan imposed by non-regional forces at every turn. We hope that the Afghan interim government will build an inclusive government and exercise prudent governance, and continue to make positive efforts in a direction that serves the interests of the Afghan people and the expectations of the international community.

Wang Yi said that since last year, China has provided multiple batches of emergency humanitarian assistance to the Afghan side at the earliest time possible to help the Afghan people get through the winter in safety, and arranged 36 chartered flights to import Afghan pine nuts to help Afghanistan alleviate difficulties and improve people's livelihood, writing a new chapter of friendship between the Chinese and Afghan people. China is ready to continue to provide assistance within its capacity for Afghanistan's development and revitalization, actively carry out cooperation in such fields as medical care, poverty alleviation, agriculture, disaster prevention and mitigation, and welcomes Afghanistan's participation in Belt and Road cooperation. China will cooperate with international multilateral institutions to provide Afghanistan with food assistance, and is willing to offer COVID-19 vaccines to Afghanistan based on its needs.

Wang Yi emphasized, security is the foundation and prerequisite of development. He hopes that Afghanistan will take effective measures to provide necessary conditions for normal exchanges between various countries and Afghanistan. The East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) is a terrorist organization designated by the UN Security Council and listed by the Chinese government in accordance with the law. China hopes that the Afghan side will earnestly fulfill its commitment and take effective measures to resolutely crack down on all terrorist forces, including the ETIM. Muttaqi said that Afghanistan is highly vigilant against the resurgence of terrorism and will take resolute and effective measures to eliminate terrorist forces in Afghanistan with all-out efforts. The Afghan Taliban fully understands China's concerns and will never allow any force to use the Afghan territory to engage in acts detrimental to Chinese friends.

The two sides also exchanged views on the Third Foreign Ministers' Meeting on the Afghan Issue Among the Neighboring Countries of Afghanistan to be held in China at the end of this month. Muttaqi said that he looks forward to participating in the meeting.