According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, on September 26, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Guo Jia Kun, introduced that on the 25th, an informal ministerial meeting on Afghanistan issues among China, Russia, Pakistan, and Iran was held during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, with the Special Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China for Afghanistan Affairs, Yue Xiaoyong, attending the meeting on-site.

The meeting issued a joint statement, emphasizing the respect for Afghanistan's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, and reiterating a firm opposition to those countries responsible for the current situation in Afghanistan establishing military bases again in Afghanistan and the region.

The fourth informal ministerial meeting of the four foreign ministers of China, Russia, Pakistan, and Iran on Afghanistan issues. Ministry of Foreign Affairs website

Hong Kong's South China Morning Post reported that the aforementioned joint statement was a response to U.S. President Trump's recent remarks on Afghanistan. Trump stated that the U.S. seeks to "reclaim" the Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, which was withdrawn by U.S. forces in 2021, while also hyping up the claim that "the base is close to Chinese nuclear facilities."

Bagram Air Base is located about 50 kilometers north of Kabul, Afghanistan. It was the largest U.S. military base in Afghanistan and the central hub of the U.S.-led two-decade war in Afghanistan. Until August 2021, when U.S. and NATO forces withdrew from Afghanistan, the base was also abandoned.

The South China Morning Post noted that some views believe that Trump's statements indicate the U.S. is attempting to curb China by rebuilding its military presence near China's key military infrastructure.

Previously, some foreign media had noticed that the U.S. seemed to be using Afghanistan as a military outpost against China.

Trump has repeatedly hyped up the connection between Bagram Air Base and China, but this was denied by Afghan authorities. According to reports, the base is currently under the control of the interim government's Ministry of Defense led by the Taliban.

Additionally, there is widespread skepticism that the U.S. "reclaiming" the base is unrealistic due to multiple obstacles including manpower, cost, and logistics.

On September 21, General Commander of the Afghan Armed Forces, Khalil Faqihdin, responded to Trump's remarks, saying, "It is unimaginable and impossible to cede even an inch of territory to anyone." The chief spokesperson of the Taliban, Zabihullah Mujahid, also urged the United States to adopt a "realistic and rational policy."

In the joint statement of the fourth informal ministerial meeting of the foreign ministers of China, Russia, Pakistan, and Iran on Afghanistan issues, the four sides emphasized that the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Afghanistan should be respected, and firmly opposed to those countries responsible for the current situation in Afghanistan establishing new military bases in Afghanistan and the region, which would not help regional peace and stability.

Guo Jia Kun, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, said on September 26 that this fully reflected the respect of Afghanistan's neighboring countries for Afghanistan's sovereignty, independence, and national dignity, as well as the common will of the international community to assist Afghanistan in stabilizing and developing.

"As a neighboring country and a responsible nation, China is willing to continue working with the international community to provide assistance to Afghanistan and play a constructive role in Afghanistan's peaceful reconstruction," Guo Jia Kun said.

Joint Statement of the Fourth Informal Ministerial Meeting of the Four Foreign Ministers of China, Russia, Pakistan, and Iran on Afghanistan Issues

On September 25, 2025, at the invitation of the Russian Federation, the fourth informal ministerial meeting on Afghanistan issues among the foreign ministers of the People's Republic of China, the Russian Federation, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and the Islamic Republic of Iran was held during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

During the meeting, the four sides discussed the current situation in Afghanistan and reached the following consensus:

First, the four sides reiterated their support for Afghanistan becoming an independent, united, and peaceful country, free from the threats of terrorism, war, and drugs.

Second, the four sides supported regional initiatives aimed at effectively promoting economic growth in Afghanistan, emphasizing the importance of maintaining economic relations with Afghanistan and alleviating the plight of the Afghan people. The four sides expressed their willingness to expand economic and trade cooperation and regional connectivity with Afghanistan, helping Afghanistan actively integrate into regional economic cooperation.

Third, the four sides believe it is necessary to appropriately adjust the work system of the United Nations Security Council's 1988 Sanctions Committee according to actual circumstances to promote peace and stability in Afghanistan. The four sides emphasized that it is particularly important to avoid politicization and double standards in granting exemptions for travel bans on specific individuals of the Taliban, which is crucial for comprehensively addressing the issue of Afghanistan.

Fourth, the four sides emphasized the importance of continuing to provide humanitarian aid to the Afghan people, calling on the international community to further provide emergency humanitarian aid to the Afghan people. The four sides also emphasized that humanitarian aid to the Afghan people should not be linked to any political considerations.

Fifth, the four sides are highly concerned about the security situation related to terrorism in Afghanistan, noting that terrorist organizations such as the Islamic State Khorasan Province, Al-Qaeda, the Pakistani Taliban, the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, the Justice Army, the Baloch Liberation Army, and the Majid Brigade, which have been entrenched in Afghanistan, pose a major threat to regional and global security.

The four sides emphasized that enhancing peace and stability in Afghanistan and addressing the threats of terrorism, extremism, and drug-related crimes from Afghanistan aligns with the common interests of the region.

The four sides urged the Afghan governing authorities to take more visible, substantive, and verifiable measures to fulfill Afghanistan's international counter-terrorism obligations and commitments, dismantle and eliminate all terrorist organizations within the country, and prevent terrorist organizations from recruiting, fundraising, acquiring weapons, and connecting with external terrorist forces. The four sides further urged the Afghan governing authorities to take measures to dismantle all terrorist training camps and facilities within the country.

The four sides called for expanding bilateral and multilateral counter-terrorism and security cooperation, supporting comprehensive measures to combat terrorism in Afghanistan, and eliminating all types of terrorist organizations without discrimination, preventing these terrorist organizations from using Afghan territory to threaten Afghanistan's neighbors, the region, and global security.

Sixth, the four sides appreciated the efforts of the Afghan governing authorities in reducing opium cultivation. Given the significant increase in the production of synthetic drugs such as methamphetamine in Afghanistan, the four sides called for comprehensive anti-drug measures, jointly combating transnational drug trafficking crimes, dismantling transnational criminal organizations involved in opium smuggling, and cutting off drug trafficking channels both within and outside the region. They emphasized the importance of the international community in the process of building a "drug-free" society in Afghanistan, providing assistance to Afghanistan in developing agriculture and alternative crop planting.

Seventh, the four sides urged the Afghan governing authorities to create conditions for Afghans to return to their homes, prevent the re-emergence of refugees, and take further measures to ensure the livelihoods and processes of reintegration into politics and society for returning citizens, thereby permanently resolving the issue.

The four sides praised the regional countries, especially the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, for accommodating millions of Afghan refugees. They urged the international community and donor countries to provide sufficient, predictable, regular, and sustainable financial support and other necessary assistance to the above-mentioned Afghan refugee host countries, especially the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, so that they can timely accommodate and effectively assist Afghan refugees in returning.

Eighth, the four sides emphasized the importance of Afghanistan building a broad and inclusive governance system that reflects the interests and demands of all sectors of Afghan society.

Ninth, the four sides emphasized the importance of safeguarding the rights and needs of all people in Afghanistan, including all ethnic and religious groups. The four sides also emphasized that the education and economic opportunities for women and girls, including work, participation in public life, freedom of movement, access to justice, and basic services, will contribute to Afghanistan's peace, stability, and prosperity.

Tenth, the four sides noted that NATO countries bear primary responsibility for addressing the current crisis in Afghanistan, and should create opportunities for Afghanistan's economic reconstruction and future development and prosperity, immediately lift unilateral sanctions against Afghanistan, return Afghanistan's overseas assets, and use them for the Afghan people.

The four sides emphasized that the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Afghanistan should be respected, and firmly opposed to those countries responsible for the current situation in Afghanistan establishing new military bases in Afghanistan and the region, which would not help regional peace and stability.

Eleventh, the four sides support all diplomatic efforts conducive to the political resolution of the Afghanistan issue, and support the efforts of the international community, especially the United Nations, in this regard. The four sides emphasized the positive role played by regional mechanisms such as the Foreign Ministers' Meetings of Neighboring Countries of Afghanistan, the "Moscow Format," and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in promoting the political resolution of the Afghanistan issue.

The four sides welcomed the meeting held on September 12, 2025, between the special envoys of China, Iran, Pakistan, and Russia on Afghanistan affairs in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, discussing the current situation in Afghanistan, and considered it necessary to encourage continued consultations.

This article is an exclusive article by Observer, and without permission, it cannot be reprinted.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7554381088118882879/

Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author. Please express your attitude below by clicking on [Up/Down] buttons.