KABUL: Wang Yi, the Chinese Foreign Minister, has expressed China’s interest in officially making Afghanistan a member of the strategic One Belt One Road Initiative during a meeting with Mawlavi Amir Khan Muttaqi, his Afghan counterpart, here in Kabul.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement today that the Chinese Foreign Minister described the relationship between Kabul and Beijing as progressing, emphasizing that relevant institutions from both countries are working to increase Afghanistan’s exports to China.
He noted that China is keen to expand its cooperation with Afghan institutions in the areas of mining studies and extraction, stating that the country aims to commence mining operations this year.
This senior Chinese diplomat assured that Beijing will continue its political and economic support for Kabul and is focused on removing barriers to the export of agricultural products and other goods from Afghanistan to China.
Meanwhile, Mawlavi Amir Khan Muttaqi, Acting Foreign Minister, mentioned that the current trade volume between China and Afghanistan amounts to one billion dollars, expressing hope for an increase in this figure in the near future.
According to Minister Muttaqi, he also presented practical proposals for enhancing economic cooperation between Afghanistan and China, including in the areas of transit cooperation, banking relations, and trade balance, urging the activation of intergovernmental joint commissions for further economic collaboration and technical discussions.
He once again reiterated that Afghan territory will never be used against other countries.
It is noteworthy that the Chinese Foreign Minister visited Kabul to participate in a trilateral meeting of the foreign ministers of Afghanistan, China, and Pakistan.
China interested in Afghanistan’s official membership in the ‘One Belt One Road Initiative’
