'Some Sides' Are Hindering Beijing-Taliban Ties, Says Chinese Ambassador

Zhao Xing, China's ambassador to Kabul announced that 'some parties' are trying to prevent the expansion of China's diplomatic relations with the Taliban. He stressed that his country is aware of this issue and expects the Taliban to pay attention to it as well.

The Chinese Ambassador to Kabul made the remarks on Sunday, January 12, during a meeting with the Taliban's Minister of Urban Development and Housing, Hamdullah Nomani.

According to a statement from the Taliban's Ministry of Urban Development and Housing, the Chinese ambassador said, "Some parties do not want political and diplomatic relations between China and Afghanistan to develop and continue, and are trying to create obstacles. China has paid attention to this issue and expects the Afghan side to pay attention to it as well."

The Chinese ambassador did not name a specific country, but this expression of concern is unprecedented given the Taliban's interest in relations with China. The Taliban, which has strained relations with the West, especially the United States, has tried to expand its relations with Russia and China, two important members of the Security Council.

Meanwhile, India, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates have also taken initial steps in improving relations with the Taliban.

Hamdullah Nomani, the Taliban's Minister of Urban Development and Housing, said that Afghanistan and China have long-standing political and economic relations, and both sides are committed to expanding and strengthening these relations.

He suggested that Chinese investors be encouraged to participate in construction projects, especially the Kabul New City project.

Regarding investment in the new city of Kabul, the Chinese ambassador in Kabul said that it is necessary to specify the conditions, facilities and details related to the investment in order to provide complete and transparent information to Chinese investors and encourage them to participate in this project.

After three years of the Taliban's rise to power, China has provided political support to the Taliban in the United Nations Security Council, but it has not taken serious steps to invest in Afghanistan and reduce the group's isolation.

The Taliban had hoped that China, the world's second-largest economy, would replace Western countries in Afghanistan, but Beijing has not met this demand.