Firmly Rejects Terrorism Tolerance, Chinese Foreign Minister: Unilateral Sanctions Against Afghanistan Must Be Lifted

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. (Wikimedia Commons/Tasnim News Agency/Erfan Kouchari)

JAKARTA - China says Afghanistan is at a crossroads, where challenges and opportunities coexist, with senior Beijing officials proposing a four-way engagement with the country, during a meeting of G20 leaders.

State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged countries to help the livelihoods of Afghans with humanitarian support to overcome difficulties, including food shortages, the coronavirus pandemic, and lack of medical supplies. China emphasizes respect for Afghanistan's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.

Beijing has announced US$31 million worth of humanitarian aid to the Taliban government, in light of the looming humanitarian catastrophe as warned by the United Nations, according to a statement by China's Foreign Ministry.

"The path of development is open and inclusive in Afghanistan. The international community must proceed from a rational and pragmatic perspective, engage in dialogue and contact with all parties in Afghanistan, support the Afghan people to independently choose the path of development that suits their national conditions", said Minister Wang, quoted Yenisafak October 13.

On this occasion, Minister Wang pushed for more financial support for poverty reduction and infrastructure projects.

"Unilateral sanctions against Afghanistan must be lifted as soon as possible", he stressed.

The United States has frozen nearly $9 billion in Afghan reserves since the Taliban regained power in Kabul on August 15 following the exit of foreign troops.

Minister Wang said there must be a zero-tolerance attitude to ensure Afghanistan stays away from terrorism.

"It is important to encourage relevant parties in Afghanistan to make early decisions and take concrete actions to eradicate the cancer of terrorism", he said, urging an end to "double standards and selective anti-terrorism efforts".

The top Chinese diplomat also said the international community should build "consensus and promote the establishment of synergies among various mechanisms related to Afghanistan."

"It is important to maintain the status of the United Nations as the main channel for promoting peace and stability and humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan", said Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

"The G20 should base itself on the position of the International Economic Cooperation Forum, focusing on gathering wisdom and promoting cooperation from the economic perspective of humanitarian aid and peaceful reconstruction", he concluded.