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Beijing pledged to provide food, medicines and 3 million COVID-19 vaccines, while urging the Taliban to cut off ties with “extreme forces.”
Following the Taliban’s disclosure of the members of its new government, China announced that it will provide at least US$31 million in emergency assistance, including the provision of a coronavirus vaccine to Afghanistan.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced the news on Wednesday during a meeting with the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Iran, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan and other neighboring Afghan counterparts.
Wang said that the emergency assistance will include food, winter supplies, medicines and 3 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
In recent days, the Taliban announced that China will become the “main partner” in the reconstruction of this war-torn country.
In a speech on Wednesday, Xinhua News Agency quoted Wang as saying that Afghanistan is “standing at a crossroads” because it faces a humanitarian crisis including the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Some international forces may also use political, economic and financial means to create new troubles for Afghanistan,” Xinhua said, but did not disclose details.
China borders Afghanistan, and the Taliban announced the formation of a new government on Tuesday, which includes officials on the most wanted list compiled by the United States.
Wang Yi said that in addition to humanitarian and health efforts, China can also help Afghanistan maintain open ports, manage refugees and migrants, and deepen cooperation in counter-terrorism and drug control.
‘Obligated to help’
At the virtual meeting, Wang Qishan also stated that the United States and its allies are obliged to help Afghanistan after the withdrawal of US troops.
“The general view of the international community is that the end of military intervention by the United States and its allies should be the beginning of their responsibility,” Wang said.
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (right) met with the Taliban political leader and current deputy leader of the country Mullah Abdul Gani Baradar in China earlier this year [File: Li Ran / Xinhua via AFP]“They are more obligated than any country to provide economic, livelihood and humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people. Under the premise of respecting Afghanistan’s sovereignty and independence, they help Afghanistan maintain stability, prevent chaos, and move towards healthy development.” He added. .
Wang Qishan also called on the Taliban to sever ties with all “extreme forces” in the country and take measures to combat them.
Wang Yi said that all parties should strengthen intelligence sharing and border control cooperation, arrest and eliminate terrorist organizations that have sneaked in from Afghanistan to ensure regional security and stability.
China earlier welcomed the end of the “three weeks of anarchy” and stated that it “lays great emphasis” on the formation of a new interim government. And the appointment of new officials.
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