China is prepared to deepen “friendly and cooperative” relations with Afghanistan, a government spokeswoman said Monday, after the Taliban seized control of the country.
Beijing has sought to keep up unofficial ties with the Taliban throughout the US’ withdrawal from Afghanistan, which spurred an advance by the Islamist hardliners across the country that saw them capture the capital Kabul on Sunday.
China shares a rugged 76-kilometre (47-mile) border with Afghanistan.
Beijing has long feared Afghanistan could become a staging point for Muslim minority Uyghur separatists in Xinjiang.
But a top-level Taliban delegation met with Chinese minister Wang Yi in Tianjin last month, promising that Afghanistan wouldn’t be used as a base for militants.
In exchange, China offered economic support and investment for Afghanistan’s reconstruction.
On Monday, China said it “welcomed” the prospect to deepen ties with Afghanistan, a rustic that has for generations been coveted for its geo-strategic importance by bigger powers.
“The Taliban have repeatedly expressed their hope to develop good relations with China, which they appear forward to China’s participation within the reconstruction and development of Afghanistan,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters.
“We welcome this. China respects the correct of the Afghan people to independently determine their own destiny and is willing to still develop… friendly and cooperative relations with Afghanistan.”
Hua called on the Taliban to “ensure a smooth transition” of power and keep its promises to barter the establishment of an “open and inclusive Islamic government” and make sure the safety of Afghans and foreign citizens.
China’s embassy in Kabul remains operational, Hua said, although Beijing began evacuating Chinese citizens from the country months ago amid the deteriorating security situation.
In a statement Monday, the embassy told Chinese citizens remaining in Afghanistan to “pay close attention to the safety situation” and stay indoors.
US President Joe Biden promised an entire withdrawal people troops by Sept. 11, marking an end to 2 decades of war.
But Washington was left shocked by the rapid collapse of the Afghan government and also the Taliban’s sweeping advance.
The Taliban has sought to reassure the international community that Afghans shouldn’t fear them, and that they won’t take revenge against those that supported the US-backed alliance.
The us earlier released a press release with quite 65 nations urging the Taliban to let Afghans leave the country, warning of accountability for any abuses.
