China exempts import tariffs, resumes issuing visas for Afghans

China is willing to share development opportunities with Afghanistan and welcome quality Afghan goods, and it hopes to see Afghanistan’s inclusive governance and unswerving fight against all terrorists, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said during a meeting with Acting Foreign Minister of the Afghan Interim Government Amir Khan Muttaqi.

Wang and Muttaqi met on Thursday on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) foreign ministers’ meeting in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, the fourth in 2022.

China has given substantial assistance and played a constructive role in easing the humanitarian crisis and spurring the reconstruction of Afghanistan, seen through frequent interactions not only between the two foreign ministers but also through other channels, observers said.

China is willing to share development opportunities with Afghanistan, and it supports the Chinaproposed Belt and Road Initiative to link with Afghanistan’s development strategies and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor to extend to Afghanistan, Wang said during the meeting.

China has waived tariffs on 98 percent of Afghan goods, and it appreciates its firm attitude toward drug control and is willing to help cultivate alternative crops, Wang said.

Wang noted China will continue to urge the US and the West to lift their unreasonable sanctions and fulfill primary responsibility for Afghanistan’s reconstruction.

It is hoped that Afghanistan can establish inclusive governance, maintain internal stability, realize ethnic harmony and unswervingly combat all terrorist groups including the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, Wang stressed.

Muttaqi appreciated Chinese assistance when his country was struck by an earthquake. Afghanistan will keep upholding the one-China principle and will not allow Afghan territory to be used for anti-China activities, Muttaqi said.

The Afghan interim government hopes to refer to China’s agricultural techniques and expects China to provide more support for Afghanistan in winning international recognition.

Wang also announced that China will resume issuing visas to Afghan citizens from August 1.