Kabul: After the Taliban seized Afghanistan, the Chinese government on Monday said that it is ready to develop “friendly and cooperative relations” with the insurgent group.
China’s foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said, “China respects the right of the Afghan people to independently determine their own destiny and is willing to continue to develop… friendly and cooperative relations with Afghanistan.”
“The Taliban have repeatedly expressed their hope to develop good relations with China, and that they look forward to China’s participation in the reconstruction and development of Afghanistan,” Chunying said.
Hua Chunying called on the Taliban to “ensure a smooth transition” of power and keep its promises to negotiate the establishment of an “open and inclusive Islamic government” and ensure the safety of Afghans and foreign citizens.
China’s embassy in Kabul remains operational, Hua said, although Beijing began evacuating Chinese citizens from the country months ago amid the deteriorating security situation.
China shares a rugged 76-kilometer (47-mile) border with Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, President Ashraf Ghani has already left Oman with his family after being denied permission to land in Tajikistan.
On Sunday, the Taliban entered the capital city Kabul and took over the abandoned presidential palace.
