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Afghanistan
ChinaDiplomacy

China steps up engagement with Afghan Taliban leaders in Qatar meeting

  • Wang Yi pledges aid, calls for end to US sanctions during discussions with interim government’s deputy prime minister
  • The two men last met in July when Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar travelled to northern China before the takeover of Kabul

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China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called for greater international support and understanding for Afghanistan. Photo: AP
Catherine Wong
China’s foreign minister Wang Yi has again urged the US to ease sanctions against the Taliban-ruled Afghanistan to help the country overcome a looming humanitarian crisis. He was speaking during the first high-level meeting with the Afghan interim government in Qatar on Monday.
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It was Wang’s first meeting with acting deputy prime minister Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar since July, when the Taliban leader visited Tianjin in northern China shortly before the takeover of Kabul. Wang, who is also a State Councillor, was also expected to meet the interim government’s acting foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi during his two-day stay in Doha.

06:22

Why Afghanistan matters to China as US withdraws from war-torn country

Why Afghanistan matters to China as US withdraws from war-torn country

The Islamist insurgent group’s return to power in August prompted the US to freeze most of the country’s financial reserves held there. Many countries remain reluctant to legitimise the Taliban rulers and multilateral institutions such as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund have halted Afghanistan’s access to developmental funding.

“Meanwhile, Afghanistan is facing quadruple challenges, namely the humanitarian crisis, economic chaos, terrorist threats and governance difficulties. Overcoming these challenges requires more understanding and support from the international community,” Wang said.

“China urges the Western countries led by the United States as a whole to lift sanctions, and calls on all parties to engage with the Afghan Taliban in a rational and pragmatic manner to help Afghanistan embark on a path of sound development.”

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Wang also pledged that China would continue to provide humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. Beijing announced last month that it would donate 200 million yuan (US$31.3 million) in aid, including food and coronavirus vaccines, to the war-torn nation.
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