Wang Yi Attends Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on the Afghan Issue

On September 8, 2021, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the First Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on the Afghan Issue Among the Neighboring Countries of Afghanistan in Beijing via video link.

Wang Yi said, the United States and its allies withdrew from Afghanistan hastily, indicating that the power politics, military intervention, and so-called “democratic transformation” promoted by the Western countries led by the United States ended in failure. However, Afghanistan is still facing severe challenges.

Wang Yi noted, “We, as the neighboring countries should guide and urge the Afghan Taliban to unite with all ethnic groups and factions, build a broad and inclusive political structure, pursue moderate and prudent domestic and foreign policies, draw a clear line with terrorist forces, and establish and develop friendly relations with other countries, especially neighboring countries.”

Wang Yi said that at the current stage, neighboring countries can focus on coordination and cooperation from the following six aspects: First, help Afghanistan strengthen pandemic prevention and control. Second, keep port gates open. Third, strengthen the management and control of refugees and migrants. Fourth, offer humanitarian assistance as soon as possible. Fifth, deepen cooperation on the counter-terrorism and security fronts. Sixth, carry out cooperation in drug control.

The participants stressed that the international community should respect Afghanistan’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, assist it in realizing security and stability and rebuilding its economy, and provide urgent humanitarian assistance.