PESHAWAR: Describing China as its “most important partner”, the Afghan Taliban have said it is looking at Beijing to rebuild Afghanistan and exploit its rich copper deposits as the war-ravaged country faces widespread famine and fears of a economic collapse.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the group supports the One Belt, China One Road initiative that seeks to connect China with Africa, Asia and Europe through a huge network of ports, railways, roads and parks. industrial.
“China is our most important partner and represents a fundamental and extraordinary opportunity for us because it is ready to invest and rebuild our country,” Geo News, Mujahid said in an interview with an Italian newspaper on Thursday.
There are “rich copper mines in the country that, thanks to the Chinese, can be put back into operation and modernized. In addition, China is our passage to markets around the world,” Mujahid said.
China has been making some positive statements towards the Taliban and has expressed hope that the insurgents will pursue moderate and prudent domestic and foreign policies, fight all forms of terrorist forces, live in harmony with other countries and live up to the aspiration of their own people and the international community.
Affirming that China respects Afghanistan’s sovereignty and will not interfere and continue to be friends with “the entire Afghan people,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said on Tuesday that “the facts show that to make economic development a reality we need an open inclusive political structure, the implementation of moderating foreign and national policies and breaking with terrorist groups in all forms ”.
The Taliban also see Russia as an important partner in the region and will maintain good relations with Moscow, Mujahid said.
The Taliban took control of Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul, on 15 August. The last of the foreign troops left the country on August 31, ending 20 years of war amid fears of economic collapse and widespread famine.
After the chaotic exit, Western states have severely restricted their aid to Afghanistan.
Earlier this week, the head of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, warned of an impending “humanitarian catastrophe” in Afghanistan and urged countries to provide emergency funding as the severe drought and war has forced thousands of families to flee their homes.
Guterres expressed his “grave concern about the country’s deep economic and humanitarian crisis,” adding that basic services threatened to collapse “completely.”
Amid fears of economic collapse and widespread famine, the Taliban have indicated that there was a formal government structure on the horizon.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the group supports the One Belt, China One Road initiative that seeks to connect China with Africa, Asia and Europe through a huge network of ports, railways, roads and parks. industrial.
“China is our most important partner and represents a fundamental and extraordinary opportunity for us because it is ready to invest and rebuild our country,” Geo News, Mujahid said in an interview with an Italian newspaper on Thursday.
There are “rich copper mines in the country that, thanks to the Chinese, can be put back into operation and modernized. In addition, China is our passage to markets around the world,” Mujahid said.
China has been making some positive statements towards the Taliban and has expressed hope that the insurgents will pursue moderate and prudent domestic and foreign policies, fight all forms of terrorist forces, live in harmony with other countries and live up to the aspiration of their own people and the international community.
Affirming that China respects Afghanistan’s sovereignty and will not interfere and continue to be friends with “the entire Afghan people,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said on Tuesday that “the facts show that to make economic development a reality we need an open inclusive political structure, the implementation of moderating foreign and national policies and breaking with terrorist groups in all forms ”.
The Taliban also see Russia as an important partner in the region and will maintain good relations with Moscow, Mujahid said.
The Taliban took control of Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul, on 15 August. The last of the foreign troops left the country on August 31, ending 20 years of war amid fears of economic collapse and widespread famine.
After the chaotic exit, Western states have severely restricted their aid to Afghanistan.
Earlier this week, the head of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, warned of an impending “humanitarian catastrophe” in Afghanistan and urged countries to provide emergency funding as the severe drought and war has forced thousands of families to flee their homes.
Guterres expressed his “grave concern about the country’s deep economic and humanitarian crisis,” adding that basic services threatened to collapse “completely.”
Amid fears of economic collapse and widespread famine, the Taliban have indicated that there was a formal government structure on the horizon.