Chinese FM urges US to lift sanctions on Afghanistan

“China is ready to continue to provide humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people to the best of its ability"

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called on the US and Western countries to lift the sanctions imposed on Afghanistan, Qazet.az informs citing TASS.

Wang Yi made the remark during a meeting in the capital of Qatar, Doha, with Abdul Ghani Baradar, who was appointed by the radical Taliban to the post of deputy chairman of the interim cabinet of Afghanistan, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

“China attaches great importance to the humanitarian difficulties that Afghanistan is currently facing and urges the United States and Western countries to lift sanctions,” Wang Yi said. The minister pointed out that all parties should engage in a sensible and pragmatic manner with the Taliban to help Afghanistan embark on a path of favorable development.

“China is ready to continue to provide humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people to the best of its ability, to cooperate with the international community to help the Afghan people overcome temporary difficulties, achieve economic recovery and self-development,” the Chinese foreign minister noted.

He added that the Chinese side has never interfered in the internal affairs of Afghanistan, has never sought personal gain and a sphere of influence. He also indicated that China supports the efforts of the Afghan people for stabilization and reconstruction.

Overcoming the difficulties that Afghanistan currently faces requires even greater support and understanding from the international community, Wang Yi stressed.

“Afghanistan is currently at a key stage in the transition from chaos to order... At the same time, it faces four challenges in the humanitarian, economic, counterterrorism and governance sectors,” he said.

The Chinese foreign minister also expressed the hope that the Taliban will show openness and solidarity towards all factions and ethnic groups in the country to work together for peaceful reconstruction, protect the legitimate rights and interests of women and children, and adhere to policy of good neighborliness and contribute to the construction of a modern country that meets the interests of the people.