Foreign media: Chinese Foreign Minister visits Afghanistan to discuss mining and joining the "Belt and Road" initiative
Chinese Foreign Minister visited Afghanistan on Wednesday (August 20), according to the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Chinese Foreign Minister stated that Beijing is eager to explore and mine minerals in Afghanistan and hopes that Afghanistan will officially join China's "Belt and Road" initiative.
Reuters reported that the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a statement that the Chinese Foreign Minister held talks with Acting Foreign Minister Mutaqi in Kabul, and both sides hope to expand cooperation in multiple areas.
According to the meeting minutes released by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Chinese Foreign Minister stated that Beijing will continue to support Afghanistan in achieving long-term stability and is willing to deepen political mutual trust with Afghanistan and expand exchanges and cooperation in fields such as trade, economy, and agriculture. He also emphasized that he hopes Afghanistan will spare no effort to combat terrorist groups such as the "East Turkestan Islamic Movement," pointing out that strengthening security cooperation will provide guarantees for bilateral economic cooperation.
The Afghan statement said: "The Chinese Foreign Minister also mentioned that China intends to start mining activities this year."
The Chinese Foreign Minister met with the acting Prime Minister of the Taliban in Afghanistan, Ahmadi. According to the Chinese side's post-meeting report, the Chinese Foreign Minister stated that China will continue to uphold justice, oppose unilateral bullying, and is willing to strengthen cooperation with Afghanistan in all fields. He also urged the Afghan government to pay attention to China's concerns about terrorist forces and increase efforts to combat them.
Analysts point out that although Afghanistan's economy is in difficulty, it has rich lithium, copper, and iron ore resources within its territory. If developed, these resources will provide important support for China to strengthen its supply chain security.
Since the Taliban regained power in 2021, China has become the first country to station an ambassador in Afghanistan and has continuously sought to develop relations with the Afghan Islamic regime.
After concluding his visit to India, the Chinese Foreign Minister traveled to Afghanistan on August 20 to visit and attend the sixth China-Afghanistan-Pakistan trilateral foreign ministers' dialogue.
According to Reuters, Wang Yi will invite Kabul to formally join his "Belt and Road" initiative.
According to information from the official website of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi arrived in Kabul on Wednesday (August 20) morning to visit Afghanistan and attend the sixth China-Afghanistan-Pakistan trilateral foreign ministers' dialogue.
Previously, Wang Yi visited India on Monday and met with Indian Prime Minister Modi, Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, and others.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1841017298211843/
Statement: The article represents the personal views of the author.