Chinese Top Diplomat’s Visit Sends ‘positive message’: Afghan Interim Government

ISTANBUL (AA) – China’s foreign minister on Thursday arrived in Afghanistan on his maiden trip to the country after the exit of US-led foreign forces last year.

As most countries worldwide have taken a wait-and-see approach to the country’s Taliban interim government, officials said the visit by Wang Yi sent a “positive message.”

The visit comes a day after Wang attended the foreign ministers’ summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation hosted by neighboring Pakistan, but also after Taliban officials canceled education beyond sixth grade for girls – a move widely decried, including by Turkey.

The two sides discussed politics, economics, transit, air corridors, dried fruit exports, educational scholarships, visas, mining, and Afghanistan’s role in China’s multi-billion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative.

Beijing has extended support to the Taliban administration since the fall of the US-backed Kabul administration last August. It has sent humanitarian aid and also received imports from Afghanistan.

Last year the Taliban returned to power after 20 years of conflict with US-led foreign forces in Afghanistan. The forces left the war-torn country last August, resulting in a meltdown of the US-backed Kabul administration.

Earlier, during negotiations between Washington and the Taliban, Wang also hosted Taliban leaders for talks.

China has also criticized the US decision to block Afghan foreign reserves and sought the immediate return of the money to Afghanistan, which is facing a humanitarian crisis.