Pakistan, China vow to strengthen friendly ties with Afghanistan

KARACHI: Pakistan and China reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening friendly ties with Afghanistan after the Taliban interim government emphasised the importance of expanding relations with neighbouring countries.

Sirajuddin Haqqani, acting Minister of Interior, in a meeting with the special representatives of China and Pakistan for Afghanistan, stated that the Islamic Emirate believes in developing regional relations and understanding based on mutual respect and constructive engagement, Tolo News reported.

Abdul Mateen Qani, spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior, said that Haqqani also emphasised the importance of expanding relations with neighbouring countries. The representatives of China and Pakistan, in turn, reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening friendly ties with Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, Yue Xiaoyong, China’s special envoy for Afghanistan, in a meeting with Amir Khan Muttaqi, acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, discussed the expansion of political and economic relations and emphasised that Beijing will continue supporting Afghanistan at the international level. He also extended an official invitation to Muttaqi to visit China.

Ahmad Zia Takal, head of public relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said: “Mr. Yue Xiaoyong, on behalf of China’s Foreign Minister, officially invited Amir Khan Muttaqi to visit China later this month--a proposal warmly welcomed by the Afghan side.”

At the same time, a trilateral economic and trade summit was held in Kabul between Afghanistan, China, and Pakistan, led by the acting minister of industry and commerce.

According to the ministry’s spokesperson, the purpose of the meeting was to strengthen trade relations, attract investment, and launch joint projects among the three countries.

Akhundzada Abdul Salam Jawad, spokesperson for the ministry, said: “In his opening speech, Haji Nooruddin Azizi expressed gratitude for the participation of senior representatives from Pakistan and China, emphasised the importance of mutual and joint cooperation, and stated that the Islamic Emirate’s policy is economically focused.”

Additionally, the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment identified China and Pakistan as key trade partners and assessed the expansion of relations with them as beneficial for Afghanistan.