Doha meet shows Taliban govt progress

The Taliban's latest promise on domestic and international issues reflects their progressive intentions, and experts said the international community should be patient to see what they will do for the future development of war-torn Afghanistan.

Shu Meng, a researcher in the Middle East Studies Institute at Shanghai International Studies University, said China's constructive participation could have a positive influence on the stability of the situation in Afghanistan, the reconstruction of the country and the development of its economy.

Three months after their first meeting, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi renewed dialogue on Monday in the Qatari capital Doha with Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, a senior figure in the Taliban-led interim government.

Baradar voiced his appreciation for the respect and friendship shown by China toward Afghanistan, and said it is the Taliban's steadfast choice to follow a friendly policy toward China and they look forward to strengthening collaboration with its neighbor in various fields.

Baradar once again made a promise to China, saying that the Taliban attach great importance to China's security concerns, and reiterated their pledge of not allowing any individual or group from the Afghan territory to hurt China.

Compared with the Taliban's promises in Tianjin in July, Shu said the new remarks are "more positive", showing the Taliban's attitude toward ties with China.

Zhu Yongbiao, director of the Center for Afghanistan Studies at Lanzhou University, said the exchange in Doha indicated mutual respect between China and the Taliban.

China's insistence on not interfering in the domestic affairs of Afghanistan and its timely assistance have also prompted the Taliban to fulfill their promise, he was quoted by the Global Times as saying.

The interim government also said it will draw lessons from its history and take a path that is suited to its national conditions.

In response to concerns, Baradar said they are willing to step up efforts to protect the rights and interests of women and children, and will not deprive them of their right to education and work. He also admitted that the Taliban still face difficulties such as insufficient facilities and shortage of funds.

Though the international society believes that there are still problems with women's issues in the country, Shu said the Taliban have indeed made some improvement in "returning to civil society".

"Under such circumstances, Baradar's remarks are a commitment to the international community, with the purpose of cutting out past bad deeds in order to gain more recognition and support from the outside world," Shu said.

His statement has reflected the Taliban's progressive intentions, and the world needs to be patient to see the Taliban's "deeds", she added.