Two years ago in August, as foreign invaders withdrew, Afghanistan ushered in a new era of independent development and the transition from chaos to order. The Afghan people have truly become the masters of their own homeland.
Since the establishment of the interim government in Afghanistan, it has been committed to promoting national peace reconstruction and independent development. It pursues an “economy-centered” foreign policy and actively engages in international exchanges and cooperation. It has taken a series of measures in areas such as economic development, anti-corruption and drug eradication so as to improve people’s livelihoods, and social security, which have achieved positive results.
The Chinese diplomats who have been stationed in Kabul clearly feel, along with most of the Afghan people, that in the past two years, Afghanistan’s national construction has been steadily advancing, its security situation has improved significantly, and its economy and people’s livelihood has also made some developments. This ancient and resilient civilization is rejuvenating once again.
China and Afghanistan are a community with a shared future, with a long history of traditional friendship and close ties in terms of security and development. Since fundamental changes have occurred in the situation in Afghanistan, China has continued to uphold the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and the diplomatic concept of “Amity, Sincerity, Mutual Benefit, and Inclusiveness.” China has maintained contact and communication with the Afghan government in an equal and respectful manner.
Over the past two years, high-level officials from China and Afghanistan have had multiple meetings, phone calls, exchanges of letters, and reciprocal visits, fully demonstrating the friendly tradition and high level of mutual trust between the two sides. China has been actively promoting the political resolution process of the Afghan issue in a responsible and constructive manner. In particular, China has played an active and constructive role in promoting the convening of the four meetings of the Foreign Ministers of Afghanistan’s neighboring countries, actively mobilizing regional efforts to support Afghanistan’s stable development, and contributing positively to a smooth transition in the situation in Afghanistan.
As a neighboring friend of Afghanistan for thousands of years, China has consistently pursued a friendly policy towards Afghanistan. In the document “China’s Position on the Afghan Issue,” China put forward eleven policy propositions, including adhering to the “Three Respects” and “Three Nevers”, supporting moderate and prudent governance in Afghanistan, supporting peace and reconstruction of Afghanistan, supporting Afghanistan in countering terrorism resolutely and forcefully, calling for greater bilateral and multilateral counter-terrorism cooperation, working together to fight terrorism, separatism and extremism in Afghanistan, urging the US to live up to its commitments and responsibilities to Afghanistan, opposing external interference and infiltration in Afghanistan, strengthening international and regional coordination on the Afghan issue, facilitating solution to Afghanistan’s humanitarian and refugee issues and supporting Afghanistan’s fight against narcotics. These propositions comprehensively and systematically articulate China’s position on the Afghan issue, and help rally the consensus and joint efforts of the international community and regional countries to stabilize and assist Afghanistan.
As a Chinese saying goes, good neighbors wish each other well, and close neighbors wish each other security. Over the past two years, the Chinese people have been closely following the well-being and security of the Afghan people and providing timely and robust support. From initial humanitarian aid to current assistance in achieving economic reconstruction, China has consistently supported Afghanistan in pursuing an independent and autonomous development path. China actively develops cooperation in various fields with Afghanistan, including promoting major project cooperation, expanding imports of Afghan specialty agricultural products, implementing zero tariffs on 98% of Afghan goods, operating “Pine Nut Charter Flights” and direct flights between China and Afghanistan, and promoting connectivity construction. China continuously enhances practical cooperation with Afghanistan, using economic means to promote development and bring tangible benefits to the Afghan people.
Currently, Afghanistan faces numerous challenges in terms of reconstruction and the task of national development is arduous. At the same time, the international community expects Afghanistan to establish a more extensive and inclusive political framework that safeguards the rights and interests of all citizens, including women and minority ethnic groups. There are still some expectations in this regard. It is hoped that Afghanistan will take more solid steps towards a direction that serves the interests of the Afghan people and meets the expectations of the international community, and achieve more positive outcomes.
As a new historical era unfolds, China is willing to further strengthen coordination and cooperation with the international community to help Afghanistan embark on a path of stable development. China will continue to uphold justice and speak up for Afghanistan on international stages, call on the international community to engage with Afghanistan, provide humanitarian assistance, support Afghan peace reconstruction, integrate into regional and international economic and trade cooperation, urge relevant countries to immediately lift sanctions, return Afghan overseas assets, and fulfill aid commitments to Afghanistan.
As Friedrich Engels said, the Afghans are brave, hardy, and independent. China fully believes that the Afghan people have the ability and wisdom to manage their own affairs, find a modern development path suitable for their national conditions, and truly build an Afghanistan with “lasting peace, prosperity and development” .
