More Chinese food aid bound for distressed Afghanistan
- A train loaded with wheat sugar and cooking oil on its way and another delivery will follow, Chinese ambassador says
- More than 23 million people do not have enough food, according to some estimates
Earlier, China trucked in 848 tonnes of rice and wheat to southern Kandahar and Helmand provinces and the Western Farah and Ghar provinces, state news agency Xinhua reported.
Diplomatic observers said the aid would help build ties with the Taliban.
The winter has intensified the crisis, with reports that nearly 23 million people do not have enough food. The United States has also frozen around US$9 billion in Afghan assets.
This week, China sent a second batch of winter supplies, including 70,000 blankets and more than 40,000 down coats.
Chinese and Afghan officials also announced a project to build a mosque and two wells in Kabul.
Beijing has not officially recognised the Taliban government and has said it will not be the first to do so, but it is stepping up its engagement with the group.