According to different media reports, the Taliban has invited China, Pakistan, Russia, Turkey, Iran and Qatar to attend the new government formation ceremony in Afghanistan. Commenting on the reported invitation, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said: “I have no information to offer at this moment.”
As per reports, China is coordinating its policy on Afghanistan with its “all-weather ally” Pakistan and Russia which also share borders with Afghanistan.
Wang Wenbin reiterated that China supports “Afghanistan forming an open, inclusive, broadly-based government upholding moderate and prudent domestic and foreign policies and live in good terms with the neighbouring countries”, PTI reported.
Beijing along with Pakistan and Russia have kept their Embassy open in Kabul. They are currently awaiting the formation of a government by the Taliban to decide on recognising it.
This comes as the United States and the United Kingdom and other western countries have increasingly said that they will not be recognising the new government in Kabul.
On Saturday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in a telephonic conversation with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, said that the new government in Afghanistan should be open and inclusive.
He further added that it should make a clean break with terrorist organisations and develop good relations with other countries.
The Taliban has already said that China will play a big role in Afghanistan’s reconstruction.
“China is a big country with a huge economy and capacity. They can play a big role in rebuilding, reconstruction of Afghanistan,” Taliban spokesperson said, PTI reported.
“We have relationship with China and Russia during the past years. We have told them they should not have any concern from Afghanistan,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Taliban on Monday confirmed that Pakistan’s intelligence chief Lt Gen Faiz Hameed met with Taliban’s de-facto leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, amidst efforts by the insurgent group to finalise a government in Afghanistan.
