4 nations issue joint statement, opposition reiterated

China, Russia, Pakistan and Iran have released a joint statement, reiterating their opposition to the rebuilding of military bases in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity should be respected, the four countries emphasized in the statement after their representatives met on Thursday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said.

The statement "reiterated firm opposition to the reestablishment of military bases in Afghanistan and the region by countries that are responsible for the current situation in Afghanistan", Guo told a regular news briefing on Friday.

The foreign ministers' informal meeting of China, Russia, Pakistan and Iran was held to discuss the issue of Afghanistan on the sidelines of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, and Yue Xiaoyong, special envoy for Afghan affairs of China's Foreign Ministry, attended the meeting in person, Guo said.

Bagram air base

The statement came after news reports quoted United States President Donald Trump as saying earlier this month that the US is trying to reclaim the Bagram air base, which was abandoned by the US troops when they withdrew from Afghanistan in 2021.

The statement "fully showed the respect for Afghanistan's sovereignty, independence and national dignity by Afghanistan's neighboring countries, as well as the common will of the international community to assist and stabilize Afghanistan", Guo said.

As a neighboring country of Afghanistan and a responsible one, China will continue to work with the international community to provide assistance to Afghanistan and play a constructive role in its peace and restoration, Guo said.

wangqingyun@chinadaily.com.cn