Chinese foreign minister had successful discussions with acting deputy prime minister and foreign minister of Afghanistan
China is inclined to extend the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan in order to make the country a bridge for regional connectivity, told the Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin while addressing a regular press conference in Beijing.
The spokesman lauded and welcomed the active participation of Afghanistan in joint construction of the Chinese Belt and Road initiative (BRI).
In his remarks on the Chinese Foreign Minister’s recent visit to Kabul, Wang Wenbin said that the Chinese foreign minister had successful discussions with Acting Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Ghani Baradar, and Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.
Chinese foreign minister visits Afghanistan
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, along with a high-level delegation, arrived in Kabul on an unannounced trip on Thursday.
According to the officials, Wang Yi held separate meetings with acting Afghan Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Ghani Baradar and FM Muttaqi during the day-long visit, in which both sides discussed bilateral matters, economic cooperation and Chinese investment in Afghanistan.
“Afghanistan attaches great importance to China’s security concern and will take pragmatic and firm actions to ensure security across the country so as to contribute to safeguarding regional security” said Abdul Ghani Baradar during the meeting.
“Afghanistan cherishes China’s friendship and appreciates China’s help, especially in offering anti-pandemic support and providing the most needed humanitarian assistance during the most difficult times of the Afghan people,” he added.
In response the Chinese FM, Wang Yi said that on the premise of respecting Afghanistan’s sovereignty, China is ready to carry out mutually beneficial cooperation with Afghanistan in an orderly manner with a focus on improving people’s livelihood and enhancing Afghanistan’s capacity for independent development, so as to help Afghanistan turn its resource advantage into development advantage.
State Councilor Wang Yi said during the talks that China and Afghanistan are friendly neighbors connected by mountains and rivers with bilateral exchanges dating back over a thousand years. “China respects Afghanistan’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, respects the independent choices made by the Afghan people and respects the religious belief and ethnic custom of the Afghan people. China does not interfere in Afghanistan’s internal affairs, nor does it seek self-interest or sphere of influence in Afghanistan,” adding that China is the only major country that has never hurt Afghanistan.
Afghanistan – The heart of Asia
China appreciates and welcomes Afghanistan’s active participation in the joint construction of the Belt and Road, and stands ready to extend the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor to Afghanistan, replicate more successful experiences, and make Afghanistan, with the geographical strength as the “Heart of Asia”, a bridge for regional connectivity, Wang said.
“China appreciates Afghanistan’s clear declaration and solemn commitment of not allowing any external forces to use the Afghan territory to oppose its neighboring countries or harm the security of other countries, and hopes that Afghanistan will firmly and resolutely fulfill this commitment,” he added