China to work with Afghanistan based on mutual interest: Wang Yi

KABUL (Pajhwok): Afghan and Chinese officials on Tuesday discussed issues related to exports from Afghanistan to China and education facilities for Afghans in the neighboring country, while Chinese foreign minister has said his country would work with Kabul based on mutual interest.

The Chinese foreign minister and Afghanistan’s acting foreign minister traveled to Qatar on Monday.

Afghan Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abdul QaharBalkhi on Tuesday tweeted that Afghan Foreign Minister Mulavi Amir Khan Mottaqi and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met in Doha today.

The two sides discussed diplomatic relations, bilateral trade and the creation of higher education opportunities for Afghan students in China, as well as bilateral relations, he said.

Expressing gratitude for China’s humanitarian assistance, the Afghan side said Afghanistan’s soil would not be used against China, he quoted Muttaqi as saying.

The Afghan foreign minister called on the Chinese side to address issues pertaining to Afghan traders and to facilitate export of marble, precious stones, plants, dried apricots, almonds, dried figs, pistachios and particularly pine nuts.

Muttaqi also called on China to provide educational facilities for Afghan students in China. He also asked China to resolve Afghan traders’ problems and facilitate export of medicinal herbs and dried fruit such as almond, pistachio and others from Afghanistan to China.

The Chinese foreign minister welcomed recent developments in Afghanistan and said that China will continue to work with Afghanistan based on common interests of both countries and will never interfere in Afghanistan’s internal affairs.

Wang Yi said his country respects Afghanistan’s security, independence and territorial integrity.

The two sides agreed to hold joint meetings and establish a joint mechanism in the future to further enhance cooperation between the two neighbors.

On Monday, Wang Yi and Taliban’s Deputy Prime Minister Abdul GhaniBaradar also discussed Afghanistan’s economic and political situation as well as strengthening bilateral ties.

Mds/ma

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