Beijing: Amidst fast paced violent changes in Afghanistan after Taliban took charge of the country, China today became the first country to accord legitimacy to a Taliban government in Kabul, stating that Beijing was “ready to continue to develop good-neighbourliness and friendly cooperation with Afghanistan and play a constructive role in Afghanistan’s peace and reconstruction”.
When pressed further during a press conference for a clarity that whether it was a fair assessment to say that China recognizes the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua said today” “On the question of recognition or not, I want to say that China’s position with respect to all countries in the world, including Afghanistan, is non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs and respect the right of people of all countries to independently choose their development path and decide their destiny and future. China’s position has been consistent all along.”
Chunying went on to say, “We respect all countries’ sovereignty and independence, and people’s independent choice of a path suited to their own national realities.” She added that the Afghan situation had seen major changes. “What China can do now and will do to respect the will and choice of the Afghan people, and help Afghanistan to stop wars, ensure smooth transition, keep at bay all kinds of terrorism and realize peace. and realize peace as soon as possible,” Chunying, said.
While acknowledging that China had maintained contact and communication with the Afghan Taliban and played a constructive role in promoting the political settlement of the Afghan issue, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying also referred to the July 28, 2021 meeting between State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and the visiting delegation led by head of the Afghan Taliban political committee Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar in Tianjin.
To questions whether the Chinese government admits the Afghan government with Taliban in power, and what does the restoration of the rule of Taliban mean to China, Chunying said to that China hoped the Afghan Taliban can form solidarity with all factions and ethnic groups in Afghanistan, and build a broad-based and inclusive political structure suited to the national realities, so as to lay the foundation for achieving enduring peace in the country.
She said China had noted that the Afghan Taliban said yesterday that the war in Afghanistan was over and they would hold talks aimed at forming an open, inclusive Islamic government in Afghanistan and take responsible actions to protect the safety of Afghan citizens and foreign diplomatic missions. “China hopes these remarks can be implemented so as to ensure a smooth transition of the situation in Afghanistan, keep at bay all kinds of terrorism and criminal acts, and make sure that the Afghan people stay away from war and can rebuild their homeland,” she said.
The Afghan Taliban had said on multiple occasions that it hoped to grow sound relations with China, looked forward to China’s participation in Afghanistan’s reconstruction and development and that it will never allow any force to use the Afghan territory to engage in acts detrimental to China. “We welcome those statements. China has all along respected Afghanistan’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, adhered to non-interference in Afghanistan’s internal affairs and pursued a friendly policy toward the entire Afghan people,” Chunying said.
At a time when the Kabul airport has been flooded with thousands of Afghans who want to flee their country, the USA forces that had taken control of the airport had to suspend flights on Monday because of the crowded runways. There were also reports of 7 persons killed today in the airport either due to a stampede or gunfires from Talibans. Reports coming from Afghanistan say the Talibans have already started going door-to-door in Kabul as they hunt for soldiers, police, government officials and journalists. Chunying however said that while the situation in Afghanistan had undergone major changes, “We respect the will and choice of the Afghan people.”
Chunying said the Chinese Embassy in Afghanistan was still operating normally. The Chinese Ambassador and embassy staff are fulfilling their duties. She though mentioned, “Most of the Chinese nationals in Afghanistan have already returned to China thanks to the arrangement of the embassy. For those few people who chose to stay, the embassy is in close contact with them. They are all safe and sound so far. The Chinese Embassy in Afghanistan will continue to follow closely the developments of the situation in Afghanistan and provide necessary service and assistance to every Chinese citizen there.”
Chuying reiterated that most Chinese citizens had safely returned to China with the help of the embassy. The few people who chose to stay in Afghanistan are still in the country. “The embassy has kept close contact with them and they are all safe so far. The Chinese embassy to Afghanistan will keep closely following and focus on the development of the situation in Afghanistan. The embassy has also asked relevant parties of Afghanistan to take concrete measure to ensure the safety and security of Chinese institutions and people.
– global bihari bureau
