Wang Yi Speaks with Acting Foreign Minister of the Afghan Interim Government Amir Khan Muttaqi on the Phone

On June 27, 2022, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a phone conversation with Acting Foreign Minister of the Afghan Interim Government Amir Khan Muttaqi.

Wang Yi once again expressed sincere condolences over the earthquake disaster in Afghanistan, stressing that as a friendly and close neighbor and sincere friend of Afghanistan, the Chinese side relates deeply to the difficulties faced by the Afghan people. Various forces in China, from central and local governments to social organizations and enterprises, have been working overtime to actively deliver emergency humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and help the Afghan people tide over the difficulties. The first batch of tents, blankets and other materials are being transported to Afghanistan by chartered flights. Cash and other disaster relief materials will also be delivered as soon as possible. Chinese enterprises in Afghanistan have also taken action, and relief supplies are on their way to the disaster-hit areas. China is ready to provide more timely assistance according to the needs of Afghanistan. China believes that Afghanistan will stay united to overcome the disaster and rebuild homes at an early date.

Wang Yi pointed out, China's policy toward Afghanistan is clear and firm, and maintains stability and continuity. China always respects Afghanistan's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, respects the independent choices made by the Afghan people, and respects Afghanistan's religious beliefs and ethnic customs. China has never interfered in Afghanistan's internal affairs, nor has it sought its own interests or a so-called sphere of influence in Afghanistan. The two sides will soon hold the second meeting of the China-Afghanistan liaison mechanisms at the working levels for humanitarian assistance and economic reconstruction. China hopes that the two sides will take solid steps to advance pragmatic cooperation in fields such as people's well-being, economy and trade, agriculture, mining, connectivity, and capacity building, and follow through on the consensus reached at bilateral meetings and the outcomes of multilateral conferences regarding Afghanistan, including the Tunxi Initiative. China believes that the Afghan side will take concrete measures to resolutely crack down on all terrorist forces, including the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, and strengthen the security protection of Chinese citizens and institutions in Afghanistan.

Wang Yi said that China will continue to play a constructive role, and support Afghanistan in building a broad-based and inclusive government and exercising moderate and prudent governance. China will uphold justice for Afghanistan in multilateral fields such as the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), push for the implementation of the outcomes of the Third Foreign Ministers' Meeting on the Afghan Issue Among the Neighboring Countries of Afghanistan, and further build consensus among regional countries in supporting Afghanistan's stability and reconstruction.

Muttaqi sincerely thanked China for its condolences and assistance to Afghanistan in the wake of the disaster, saying that China's assistance fully reflects the traditional friendship between the two countries and has greatly benefited the earthquake-affected people. Afghanistan has always been committed to developing friendly relations with China in various fields, and will always adhere to the one-China principle. Afghanistan fully understands China's security concerns and stands ready to make joint efforts with China to combat terrorism. Afghanistan hopes to strengthen cooperation with China on international occasions such as the SCO, and China is welcome to play an important and positive role in Afghanistan's peace and reconstruction.