Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang in a phone call with the acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi expressed China’s support for the Afghan interim government to build a broad and inclusive political structure in the country.
Global Times quoted the Chinese FM as saying that China never interferes in Afghanistan’s internal affairs, nor seeks any selfish gains in Afghanistan or the so-called sphere of influence.
Meanwhile, Muttaqi said that China is committed to cooperating with Afghanistan.
“We talked about one hour on the phone. Our discussion focused on how to cooperate with each other? How to invest in Afghanistan? How to ensure peace and stability in Afghanistan. We had talks with them in agriculture sector as well,” he said.
A spokesman for Afghan Foreign Ministry, Hafiz Zia Ahmad Takal said in a statement said that the two sides discussed biliteral relations between the two countries and the provision of security for China’s investment in Afghanistan.
Takal said that Muttaqi assured Qin of ensuring the security of Chinese companies and vowed more efforts for regional security.
Takal said that the Chinese minister vowed to make efforts to improve relations between Kabul and Beijing and said China respects the “independence, sovereignty and religious and cultural values” of Afghanistan.
“The Foreign Minister assured the Chinese side that the Afghan government is trying for regional security and stability and it will not allow any group to use Afghan soil against other countries. Muttaqi also stressed on security of Chinese companies in Afghanistan,” he said.
Analysts said that China has an important role in improvement of situation in Afghanistan.
“The rest of the world has its demands. They ask for something else in return while they give something. China can provide aid to Afghanistan,” said Zakiullah Mohammadi, a political analyst. “Having relations with China, especially diplomatic relations benefits Afghanistan.”
China has signed two major contracts of Mess Aynak and extraction of oil from the Amu River basin.