China hopes that the Taliban can implement its previous commitments and ensure a smooth transition of power in Afghanistan, said spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Hua Chunying at a Monday news conference.
China respects Afghan people’s right to decide their own destiny and future, and is willing to continue to develop friendship and cooperation with Afghanistan, Hua said.
Responding to questions regarding the situation in Afghanistan, Hua noted that the truce is both the unanimous voice of more than 30 million Afghan people and the common expectation of the international community and regional countries, after more than 40 years of warfare.
“China hopes that the Taliban will implement its previous vows to establish through negotiation an open and inclusive Islamic government and act responsibly to ensure the safety of Afghan citizens and foreign missions in Afghanistan,” Hua said at the news conference.
On Sunday, the Taliban said talks were underway to “ensure that the transition process is completed safely and securely, without compromising the lives, property and honor of anyone.
The Taliban also vowed to form an inclusive government that represents the entire country.
“China respects Afghan people’s right to decide their own destiny and future, and is willing to continue to develop friendship and cooperation with Afghanistan,” Hua said, adding that China will play a constructive role for peace and reconstruction in Afghanistan.
China has always played a constructive role in promoting a political solution to the Afghan issue, and maintained contacts and communications with the Afghan Taliban and other sides, on the basis of full respect for the sovereignty of the Afghan state and the wishes of the various factions in the country, Hua said.
On July 28, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met in Tianjin with the visiting delegation led by the head of the Afghan Taliban Political Commission Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar.
Wang pointed out, “We hope the Afghan Taliban will make a clean break with all terrorist organizations including ETIM (East Turkestan Islamic Movement) and resolutely and effectively combat them to remove obstacles, play a positive role and create enabling conditions for security, stability, development and cooperation in the region.”
Baradar told Wang that “the Afghan Taliban will never allow any force to use the Afghan territory to engage in acts detrimental to China. The Afghan Taliban believes that Afghanistan should develop friendly relations with neighboring countries and the international community.”
Hua Chunying File Photo
