Wang Yi made mentioned these points when discussing with his counterpart from the Netherlands, Sigrid Kaag, about the events in Afghanistan after the advance of the Taliban.

Wang welcomed the fact that the international community is gradually reaching a consensus on Afghanistan and urged the United States to provide economic and humanitarian assistance to ensure a peaceful transition and help overcome future challenges.

He also called on the European Union to contribute to the peace, stability and development of the country, and expressed hope that it can build an open and inclusive political structure, implement a more moderate internal and external agenda and leave behind any links to terrorism.

Apart from the Afghan issue, Wang and Kaag talked about the progress of bilateral relations, cooperation, the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and the Covid-19 pandemic.

China is following closely the evolution of events in Afghanistan and the international reaction after last week the Taliban declared the end of the war there, entered Kabul, and President Ashraf Ghani left the country.

Beijing rejects the imposition of sanctions, saying it will ‘continue to bet on good neighborly, cooperative and friendly relations’ with Afghanistan and stressed its adherence to the principles of non-interference in its internal affairs.

China’s embassy is operating normally and remains in communication with the Taliban, while Chinese companies in Afghanistan prepare to expand investments once reconstruction begins.

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