Afghan Senate chairman sees China’s role as vital in achieving regional peace

Afghanistan’s Senate Chairman Fazal Hadi Muslimyar described the role of China as very important in pushing the Afghan peace process and making a success of national reconciliation.

China as a world power, as a well-respected country in the region and as a good neighbor of Afghanistan and Pakistan can play a significant role in the Afghanistan peace process and I am sure its role is vital, Muslimyar said.

Muslimyar, who visited China to attend the Sixth China-Eurasia Expo in Urumqi, Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in early September, also described China as a good friend of Afghanistan and said that Afghans are looking toward getting help from China, above all in achieving peace and security.

“Afghans have been suffering due to the lingering war over the past 40 years, therefore, above all we need security,” said the Senate chairman, saying Afghans are hopeful that China as a friendly neighbor could play its role in ending the conflict, achieving peace, enhancing economic cooperation between the two countries, activating the Wakhan Corridor and improving Afghanistan’s roads and transport system.

Describing his meetings with Chinese officials as “very fruitful,” Muslimyar said his talks with Chinese dignitaries had covered a variety of issues of common concern including Afghan peace process, the mega project of the Belt and Road initiative, Chinese investment in Afghanistan and terrorist threats.

The year 2018 marks the fifth anniversary since the Belt and Road initiative was first put forward in 2013, and Muslimyar said more and more people in Afghanistan wanted to take advantage of this initiative to expand exchanges at all levels with China.

“China has included Afghanistan into the mega project of the Belt and Road initiative,” Muslimyar said. The implementation of the project expands connectivity in the region and ultimately strengthens regional peace and prosperity, he noted.

“Afghan saffron has already found its place in Chinese markets and we have reached an agreement that Afghan pine nuts would also be exported to China,” he said.

Afghanistan also hopes to export dry fruits, semi-precious and precious stones and carpets to China in the future, the senator said.

According to Muslimyar, the Belt and Road initiative has offered opportunities to countries in Asia for shared benefits, and has promoted infrastructure, connectivity, trade and transit in the region.