Taliban discuss politics, diplomacy, economics with China in Doha
Kabul, Oct 26 (EFE).- Taliban and Chinese officials held talks Monday for the second consecutive day in Doha, where they discussed political, diplomatic and economic issues, according to Taliban sources.
“The discussions were held on political, diplomatic, economic and other important issues,” Taliban spokesperson Bilal Karimi told EFE, adding that all other important issues were also discussed, including boosting bilateral relations and humanitarian assistance.
The meeting between the Chinese delegation led by Foreign Minister Wang Yi and the one headed by his Afghan counterpart, Amir Khan Mutaqi, came a day after another meeting between Yi and Afghan Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Baradar in the same city.
The Taliban said in a statement that Wang expressed his “support” to their government and acknowledged their “achievements in terms of good governance and security” since seizing power on Aug.15.
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid, in a video message Monday, revealed that in the latest discussions, the two delegations decided to form three committees.
“The first committee will be following up political issues and diplomatic efforts (…). The second committee will be formed to follow up and work on (bilateral) cooperation and coordination,” said Mujahid.
He added that the third committee will be formed especially to “work on economic issues, implementation of China’s projects in Afghanistan and China’s cooperation with Afghanistan regarding the mining sector.”
Over the last two decades, Chinese companies have signed contracts for several economic and infrastructure projects in Afghanistan, including the Aynak Copper Mine project in 2007, and a railway construction and several petroleum projects.
However, nearly all of them have remained incomplete, stalled or in a status of ambiguity due to instability and insecurity and lack of cooperation between the two sides.
Meanwhile, China announced Monday humanitarian assistance worth $5 million to the war-torn nation.
“The relations between the two countries will further expand in the future,” Mujahid concluded. EFE
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