Afghanistan seeks deeper, positive, sustainable ties with China

Afghan Prime Minister Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Kabul on Wednesday, pledging to deepen cooperation with China and build a positive and sustainable partnership while ensuring that Afghan territory will never be used to threaten China.

Akhund praised China as a force for justice in the world that has consistently pursued friendly cooperation with Afghanistan and other countries for common development and progress. He expressed gratitude to Beijing for speaking up for Afghanistan on the international stage.

Reflecting on Afghanistan's turbulent past, Akhund noted that the country has suffered from over two decades of war and disorder, while some Western countries continue to smear Afghanistan with malicious narratives.

He added that the Afghan government is determined to resolve its domestic challenges, focus on development, and improve people's livelihoods, emphasizing that Afghanistan neither wishes nor intends to create problems for other countries.

Wang, for his part, said that his visit to Kabul on Wednesday marked the second time a Chinese foreign minister has traveled to Afghanistan since the country's political transition, a gesture underscoring Beijing's sincerity in strengthening ties and advancing traditional friendship.

He reaffirmed China's longstanding policy of non-interference in Afghanistan's internal affairs, emphasizing respect for the Afghan people's independent choices, cultural traditions, and governance model based on national conditions.

China, Wang said, fully supports Afghanistan in upholding independence and achieving development and national rejuvenation.

As Afghanistan's close neighbor, China will continue to uphold fairness and justice, oppose unilateral bullying, and deepen cooperation with Afghanistan in various fields, Wang added.

He also expressed the hope that the Afghan side to give serious attention to China's concerns and intensify efforts to crack down on the East Turkistan Islamic Movement terrorist group.