China, Afghanistan talk over expanding trade, mining cooperation

On August 20, Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister, Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, met in Kabul with Wang Yi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation across a range of areas, Caliber.Az reports, citing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan.

Afghanistan’s foreign minister described relations between the two countries as steadily developing and praised China as an important trading partner, noting that annual trade between Kabul and Beijing has reached $1 billion.

Muttaqi expressed hope that in the near future the volume of trade would rise significantly. He also presented practical proposals to expand economic cooperation, including in transport links, banking relations, and balancing trade.

He further called for the establishment of intergovernmental commissions to advance technical discussions and boost economic cooperation.

The Afghan foreign minister reiterated that Afghanistan’s territory would never be used against neighbouring countries.

For his part, China’s Foreign Minister described bilateral ties as expanding and highlighted the potential for cooperation in multiple sectors.

Wang Yi said that relevant Chinese institutions are working to further increase Afghan exports to China. He added that Beijing is eager for Afghanistan to formally join the Belt and Road Initiative.

He also noted China’s interest in working with Afghan authorities on mineral exploration and extraction, and confirmed Beijing’s intention to begin practical mining operations within this year.

Wang Yi pledged that China would continue to provide political and economic support to Afghanistan and would seek to remove barriers hindering the import of Afghan agricultural products and other goods.

By Aghakazim Guliyev