Wang Yi Introduces the Important Consensus and Achievements of the Series of Meetings on the Afghan Issue

On March 31, 2022, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi chaired the Third Foreign Ministers' Meeting on the Afghan Issue Among the Neighboring Countries of Afghanistan and the First Meeting of "Neighboring Countries of Afghanistan Plus Afghanistan" Foreign Ministers' Dialogue in Tunxi, Anhui Province. After the meetings, Wang Yi held a press conference to introduce the important consensus and achievements of the meetings, and answered questions from reporters.

Wang Yi said that the outcomes of the meetings are mainly reflected in two documents, namely the Joint Statement of the Third Foreign Ministers' Meeting on the Afghan Issue Among the Neighboring Countries of Afghanistan, and the Tunxi Initiative of Afghanistan's Neighboring Countries on Supporting Afghanistan's Economic Reconstruction and Practical Cooperation. These two documents reflect the common political position of neighboring countries, and decide to provide material support for Afghanistan in key areas such as humanitarian assistance, interconnectivity, economy and trade, agricultural development, energy and power, and capacity building.

Wang Yi said, by bringing together the measures, ideas and suggestions of neighboring countries to support Afghanistan's peace and reconstruction, the Tunxi Initiative is rich in content and will play an important role in promoting Afghanistan's peace, reconstruction, stability and development in the future. The initiative embodies five features: First, not playing geopolitical games, but focusing on practical cooperation. Second, not imposing one's will on others, but advocating equality and voluntariness. Third, not making high-profile empty promises, but pursuing tangible results. Fourth, not acting without coordination, but striving for regional connectivity. Fifth, not seeking isolation and antagonism, but advocating openness and inclusiveness.

Wang Yi stressed, this series of meetings on the Afghan issue is an important part of concerted efforts by neighboring countries to increase support and help for Afghanistan, and a helpful attempt by the international community to explore a new path for comprehensively solving hotspot issues. We firmly believe that by the unremitting efforts of all parties, Afghanistan will embrace a bright future, and the best wishes of all ethnic groups in Afghanistan can be realized. Afghanistan will return to the big Asian family as an important and equal member.