China hails ‘end of anarchy’ with new Afghan government

Beijing:

Beijing said Wednesday it welcomed the end of “three weeks of anarchy” in Afghanistan with the establishment of a new interim government in Kabul, calling on the Taliban to restore order in the country.

The Islamists took control of Afghanistan as US troops withdrew last month and set up a new administration which began working on Wednesday.

Despite previous promises that their government would be inclusive, the government is made up exclusively of loyalist ranks with established extremists in all key positions and no women.

China has been scathing about the US withdrawal, which it criticized as poorly planned and rushed. On Wednesday, he said the new government would help bring stability.

“China attaches great importance to the announcement by the Taliban of the establishment of an interim government and some important personnel arrangements,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said at the meeting. a press briefing.

“This ended more than three weeks of anarchy in Afghanistan and is a necessary step to restore order and rebuild the country.”

While much of the world has taken a wait-and-see approach to engaging with the Taliban, China has already said it is ready to forge friendly relations with the group after their takeover.

Analysts said that a stable and cooperative administration in Kabul would open up economic opportunities for China and allow the expansion of its huge overseas infrastructure effort, the Belt and Road Initiative.

The Taliban may also view China as a crucial source of economic support and potentially a key ally.

Last week, a Taliban spokesman said Beijing had promised them increased aid and Covid-19 assistance.

However, Beijing is wary of the group that lends its support to Uyghur Muslim minority separatists seeking to infiltrate its sensitive Xinjiang border region.

Wang said on Wednesday that China “will not interfere in the internal affairs of Afghanistan”, but hopes the Taliban “will pursue moderate and regular domestic and foreign policies, resolutely suppress all kinds of terrorist forces and come to an understanding. well with all countries, especially neighboring countries. “countries.

(Except for the title, this story was not edited by NDTV staff and is posted from a syndicated feed.)