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China delivers US$37 million in aid to Afghanistan, fulfilling promise to Taliban
- Chinese envoy says the donation is ‘best manifestation’ of friendship between the countries
- Beijing has yet to formally recognise new government but is keen to partner with regime in trade and investment
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Beijing has donated 250 million yuan (US$37.4 million) of aid to Afghanistan, fulfilling a promise it made to the new Taliban government last year, according to the Chinese embassy in Kabul.
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Chinese ambassador Wang Yu made the announcement on Tuesday at a ceremony attended by Ghulam Ghaws Naseri, acting minister of state for disaster management and humanitarian affairs for Taliban-led Afghanistan.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said on Wednesday that the last charter plane carrying Chinese aid would fly to Afghanistan on Thursday, and all supplies promised by China would be delivered.
“China has become one of the countries providing the largest, most substantial and fastest assistance to Afghanistan in disaster relief,” Zhao said.
China has yet to formally recognise the Taliban, which seized power last year after the United States and its allies abruptly withdrew troops following 20 years of war, but is keen on partnering with the regime in trade and investment.
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After the Taliban announced a new government last September, Beijing pledged to help Afghanistan – which shares a remote border with China – rebuild its economy and society and fight terrorist groups and the illegal drug trade.
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