The Chinese government on Wednesday welcomed the new government in Afghanistan and the end of “three weeks of anarchy”, it called on the Taliban to restore order in the country.
After the US troops withdrawal and the Taliban’s take over of the country last month, they have set up a new administration that started working on Wednesday.
China has been critical of the American withdrawal. On Wednesday it said the new government would help bring stability.
“China attaches great importance to the announcement by the Taliban of the establishment of an interim government and some important personnel arrangements,” said Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin.
“This has ended more than three weeks of anarchy in Afghanistan and is a necessary step to restore order and rebuild the country.”
The international community generally is tentative about engagement with the Taliban, but China has already said it is ready to build friendly relations with the Taliban following its takeover.
Analysts have said a stable and cooperative administration in Kabul would open economic opportunities for China and allow for the expansion of its massive overseas infrastructure drive, the Belt and Road Initiative.
Last week a Taliban spokesman said Beijing had promised them increased aid and Covid-19 assistance.
Wang said Wednesday that China would “not interfere in Afghanistan’s internal affairs,” but hoped the Taliban would “pursue moderate and steady domestic and foreign policies, resolutely crack down on all kinds of terrorist forces, and get along well with all countries, especially neighbouring countries.”
While US State Secretary Antony Blinken on Wednesday, in an exclusive interview with TOLOnews said the United States has achieved what it went to Afghanistan to accomplish and the main aim was to suppress Al-Qaeda, which has been vastly “degraded.”
Blinken also said the United States remains committed to the people of Afghanistan, saying the US will work with the future government if it upholds the commitments it has made, especially on “combating terrorism” and honouring human rights and the rights of minorities.
The US secretary in response of a question said “the Taliban says it seeks international legitimacy and international support and that will depend entirely on what it does, not just on what it says. And the trajectory of its relationship with us and with the rest of the world will depend on its actions.” He also mentioned Taliban commitments on allowing freedom of travel, fighting against terrorism, as well as on the rights of women, girls and minorities.