FLIGHT CARRYING AID ARRIVES IN AFGHANISTAN
Wang Yi promises more relief goods to follow in 50 million yuan package, but stresses need for Taliban to understand security concerns
The country has pledged to deliver more aid to tens of thousands of Afghans while also urging its South Asian neighbour to keep up the fight against terrorism.
The commitment comes less than a week after a deadly earthquake hit a country already grappling with economic crisis following the Taliban’s takeover.
Speaking to Taliban acting foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi on Monday, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that as a “friendly neighbour and a true friend to Afghanistan”, China felt deep empathy with Afghan people affected by the earthquake and would give more help according to Afghanistan’s needs.
“We are confident that the Afghan side will unite to overcome the disaster and rebuild their homes as soon as possible,” Wang said, according to a foreign ministry statement yesterday.
Monday’s phone call came after a 6.2-magnitude earthquake hit a remote and mountainous area in southeastern Afghanistan on Wednesday last week, killing at least 1,000 people, injuring more than 2,000 others and destroying over 10,000 homes. It was a further blow for the country, mired in humanitarian and economic crises since the Taliban took over in August last year.
The Taliban government, which has been cut off from most international assistance because of Western sanctions, described it as the deadliest earthquake to rock the country in decades and appealed for emergency humanitarian aid while calling for a freeze on the country’s central bank assets to be lifted.
Earlier on Monday, Beijing announced a charter flight carrying the first batch of aid – including 120 tents, 320 folding beds and more than 6,000 towels – had landed in Afghanistan and that another six flights with more relief would arrive over the following three days.
It was part of a 50 million yuan (HK$58.6 million) humanitarian aid package to Afghanistan. During a speech at a handover ceremony in Kabul airport on Monday, ambassador Wang Yu said the relief assistance “reflected the concrete practice of goodwill, sincerity and tolerance” by China.
During the phone call between foreign ministers, Wang Yi also urged Afghanistan to “take practical measures to resolutely combat all terrorist forces, including the ETIM, and strengthen the security protection of Chinese citizens and institutions in Afghanistan”.
He was referring to the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, now known as Turkestan Islamic Party, that Beijing has repeatedly blamed for violent attacks in Xinjiang and elsewhere.
Since the Taliban regained control following the end of the United States’ 20-year military operation, Beijing has carefully stepped up engagement with the Taliban government and has presented itself as a party to mediate “Afghanistan issues”.
During the phone call, Wang reiterated Beijing’s policy of respecting Afghanistan’s national integrity, territorial sovereignty and autonomy as well as the “independent choices” of its people and their religious faith.
He said China was not seeking to establish any sphere of influence in the country.
He also urged the two sides towards further “practical cooperation”, particularly in relation to people’s livelihoods, trade and economy, agriculture, mining and connectivity. The two are expected to hold a second meeting about humanitarian and economic reconstruction in Afghanistan, according to Wang.
“China will continue to play a constructive role and support the Afghan side in building a broad and inclusive political system, moderate and stable governance and stand up for the Afghan side in the United Nations … and other multilateral arenas,” Wang said.
The foreign ministry statement also quoted Muttaqi as saying in response that his country was committed to developing a friendly relationship with China “in all areas”.
Afghanistan “fully understands the security concerns of the Chinese side and is willing to join efforts with China to fight against terrorism”, the Talibanappointed diplomat said, adding that his government welcomed China playing “an important role in peace and reconstruction in Afghanistan”