China urged the United States on Monday to aid a smooth transition in
Afghanistan. by accepting responsibility for the worsening situation, as the US intensified air strikes there.
“What needs to be emphasized is that the United States suddenly announced the complete withdrawal of its troops from Afghanistan. This is the root cause of the deteriorating security situation in the country and it’s a serious threat to the peace and stability of Afghanistan and the regional national security interests,” said Zhao Lijian, spokesman for China’s Foreign Affairs ministry.
“As the country who unleashed Afghanistan’s terrorism problem, the US should shoulder its due responsibilities, take concrete actions to ensure a smooth transition of the situation in Afghanistan, prevent terrorist forces from taking the opportunity to grow bigger, and maintain the peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan,” Zhao said.
Zhao said Afghanistan was at a crucial juncture, facing challenges from war, chaos and governance.
“China always believes that political negotiations are the only correct way to resolve the Afghan issue.”
Zhao’s remarks came after the situation in Afghanistan quickly deteriorated following US President
Joe Biden’s announcement in April that US troops would be withdrawn by September, ending a
20-year foreign military presence
and leaving a power vacuum for the Taliban to fill.