China Urges Afghanistan to Officially Join “One Belt, One Road” Initiative
In a meeting today in Kabul, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed China’s keen interest in Afghanistan’s formal participation in the ambitious “One Belt, One Road” initiative.
The discussion, held with Acting Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, focused on expanding bilateral cooperation across various sectors.
Hafiz Zia Ahmad Takal, Deputy Spokesman for Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry, shared details of the meeting on his Facebook page. He noted that the talks centered on strengthening economic, commercial, and transit ties between the two nations.
Muttaqi described the relationship with China as steadily growing, highlighting China’s role as a key trading partner, with annual bilateral trade reaching one billion USD. He expressed optimism about a significant increase in trade volume in the near future.
Muttaqi proposed practical measures to enhance economic collaboration, including improved transit cooperation, strengthened banking relations, and balancing the trade deficit. He called for the establishment of joint intergovernmental commissions to advance these objectives and address technical matters.
Reaffirming Afghanistan’s commitment to regional stability, Muttaqi emphasized that Afghan soil would never be used against neighboring countries.
Wang Yi, in response, described the bilateral relationship as positive and progressive, underscoring the importance of deepening cooperation in various fields.
He stated that relevant authorities in both countries are working to boost Afghan exports to China and eliminate barriers, particularly for agricultural products. Wang reiterated China’s interest in Afghanistan’s official inclusion in the “One Belt, One Road” initiative, which could enhance regional connectivity and economic integration.
The Chinese minister also highlighted plans to expand cooperation in mining exploration and extraction, with intentions to commence operations this year.
Wang Yi reaffirmed China’s ongoing political and economic support for Afghanistan, pledging to address challenges hindering Afghan imports to China.
