- China will provide US$31 million in aid to Afghanistan.
- The plan was announced by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
- Wang Yi said that Western countries have an obligation to help Afghanistan.
Following the Taliban’s disclosure of the members of its new government, China announced that it will provide at least US$31 million in emergency assistance, including the provision of a coronavirus vaccine to Afghanistan.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced the news on Wednesday during a meeting with the foreign ministers of Afghanistan’s neighbors including Pakistan, Iran, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.
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Wang said that the emergency assistance will include food, winter supplies, medicines and 3 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine.
In recent days, the Taliban announced that China will become the “main partner” in rebuilding this war-torn country.
Xinhua News Agency quoted Wang as saying in a speech on Wednesday that Afghanistan is “standing at a crossroads” because it faces humanitarian crises including the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Some international forces may also use political, economic and financial means to create new troubles for Afghanistan,” Xinhua News Agency said, but did not disclose details.
Humanitarian and health work
China borders Afghanistan, and the Taliban announced on Tuesday the formation of a new government, which includes officials on the most wanted list compiled by the United States.
Wang Yi said that in addition to humanitarian and health efforts, China can also help Afghanistan maintain open ports, manage refugees and migrants, and deepen cooperation in counter-terrorism and drug control.
At the virtual meeting, Wang Qishan also stated that the United States and its allies are obliged to help Afghanistan after the withdrawal of US troops.
Wang Yi said: “The international community generally believes that the end of military intervention by the United States and its allies should be the beginning of their responsibility.”
“They are more obligated than any country to provide economic, livelihood and humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people. Under the premise of respecting Afghanistan’s sovereignty and independence, they help Afghanistan maintain stability, prevent chaos, and move towards healthy development.” He added. .
Wang Yi also called on the Taliban to cut off ties with all “extreme forces” in the country and take measures to combat them.
Wang Yi said that all parties should strengthen intelligence sharing and border control cooperation, arrest and eliminate terrorist organizations that have sneaked in from Afghanistan to ensure regional security and stability.
China earlier welcomed the end of the “three weeks of anarchy” and stated that it “lays great emphasis” on the formation of a new interim government and the appointment of new officials.
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