BEIJING — China’s special envoy for Afghanistan, Yue Xiaoyong, has described efforts to resolve Afghanistan’s political issues as fraught with both challenges and opportunities, emphasizing the importance of regional and international collaboration in achieving peace and stability.
“As Afghanistan’s neighbors, regional partners, and a responsible member of the international community, we must work together to support peace, stability, and reconstruction in Afghanistan,” Mr. Yue said in an interview with the Beijing Club.
Mr. Yue criticized the 20-year presence of the United States and NATO in Afghanistan, calling it a “failure,” and noted that neighboring and regional countries are working to assist Afghanistan in achieving peace, stability, and rebuilding efforts.
China’s approach to Afghanistan over the past three years under Taliban rule, he said, is rooted in a vision of “building a shared future for humanity,” an initiative backed by Chinese leadership.
Mr. Yue reiterated China’s commitment to supporting the Afghan people while coordinating efforts with neighboring countries and the global community. He also called on the United States to take responsibility for the suffering and destruction in Afghanistan, including releasing the $7 billion in frozen central bank assets and lifting sanctions on the country.
“The United States must accept responsibility for Afghanistan’s plight and take the lead in rebuilding the country,” Mr. Yue said.
A call for engagement with the Taliban
While acknowledging the Taliban’s control of Afghanistan, Mr. Yue referred to the group as “the reality of Afghanistan,” noting their stability and authority across the country. He pointed to the Taliban’s recent economic development initiatives as signs of their governance.
“After joint efforts, there is now consensus that we must engage with the de facto authorities [the Taliban] to facilitate dialogue and continue humanitarian assistance. However, Afghanistan still faces significant challenges,” Mr. Yue said.
He also expressed concerns shared by many nations about the security threats posed by terrorism in Taliban-led Afghanistan.
Regional concerns about terrorism
At the recent Moscow Format talks, attended by China, Russia, Pakistan, and Iran, participants expressed alarm over the rise of extremist groups in Afghanistan. The group collectively urged that Afghan territory not be used as a base for threats against other countries.
Despite maintaining close ties with the Taliban since their return to power in August 2021, China has not formally recognized their government.
