China hopes for new era in Afghanistan with FM Wang's Kabul visit
Iran Press TV
Thursday, 21 August 2025 2:54 PM
China says it hopes to work closely with Afghanistan to promote the development of bilateral ties after its Foreign Minister Wang Yi paid a landmark visit to Kabul.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Thursday that China maintains a friendly policy toward all Afghan people, when asked about Beijing's recognition of the Afghan interim government.
Mao's remarks came after Foreign Minister Wang visited Kabul on Wednesday to attend the sixth trilateral foreign ministers' dialogue involving China, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.
Wang met separately with Taliban Prime Minister Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund and Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, and held talks with acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.
According to a statement from the Afghan Taliban foreign ministry, China expressed a strong interest in exploring and mining Afghanistan's abundant mineral resources.
The Chinese delegation invited Afghanistan to formally join its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a multi-national infrastructure and connectivity strategy aimed at enhancing regional economic integration.
"China will continue to support the Afghan government to achieve long-term peace and stability," Wang told Muttaqi, according to a readout from China's foreign ministry.
Wang emphasized the importance of building mutual political trust and expanding cooperation in key sectors such as trade and agriculture.
Wang also urged Afghanistan to intensify its efforts against militant groups, noting that stronger security cooperation would provide a stable foundation for economic partnership between the two countries.
In a separate meeting with Akhund, Wang reaffirmed China's commitment to justice and opposition to unilateral coercive measures.
He expressed China's readiness to deepen collaboration across various fields and called on Afghanistan's leadership to address Chinese concerns related to terrorist forces by strengthening counterterrorism measures.
China was the first country to appoint an ambassador to Afghanistan following the Taliban's takeover in 2021 and has maintained active diplomatic engagement.
Afghanistan's significant reserves of lithium, copper, and iron offer important opportunities to support China's resource security, analysts say.
Wang's visit highlights Beijing's ongoing efforts to expand its strategic partnership with Afghanistan and foster regional connectivity through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative.
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