China: We will start mining of Mes Aynak soon

March 24, 2022

First Deputy Prime Minister, Mullah Abdul Ghani Beradar Akhund and his accompanying delegation met with Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi and his accompanying delegation at Chahar Chenar Palace. Mr. Beradar Akhund said that China and Afghanistan have good and historical relationships and the Islamic Emirate wants to further develop these relations. He went on to say that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan assures China that all of its concerns on Afghan soil will be addressed. Mr. Beradar said that the Islamic Emirate has brought complete security all over Afghanistan. No one is in danger of losing their life or property, and no one will be allowed to take action against other countries from Afghanistan.

The First Deputy Prime Minister, said in his speech that China is currently the best place in the World Economic Forum and the Islamic Emirate wants the Chinese government to invest here. According to him, Afghanistan has vast natural resources and now a safe environment has also been created. Mr. Beradar Akhund also called on China to grant Afghanistan membership in the "One Belt, One Road" project. Mr. Beradar urged the Chinese government to lift sanctions on Afghan traders over the Corona pandemic and to create a better environment for the export of Afghan products. He called on the Chinese side to provide scholarships to Afghan students for vocational trainings and to lift the imposed Convid-19 sanctions on existing students in China and allow them to attend classes normally.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in his speech that China does not interfere in Afghanistan's internal issues and fully respects its independence. He added that the new government of Afghanistan has taken positive steps in all areas and they hope that it will continue. Mr. Wang Yi said they had provided assistance to Afghanistan in various fields and had recently provided another 300 million Chinese yuan as humanitarian aid.

Mr. Wang said China wants to expand their ties with Afghanistan and will support the new government in any area. According to him, China will arrange a regional foreign ministers meeting in the coming days to discuss the situation in Afghanistan. Wang Yi added that he had also invited Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Mutaqi to the meeting.

The Chinese Foreign Minister praised the overall security situation in Afghanistan, adding that if the new Afghan government took the fight against ISIS and the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) seriously, the situation will improve and the region's trust on new government will increase. According to Mr. Wang, ISIS and ETIM are the common enemies of China and Afghanistan, and we must fight with them together.

Mr. Wang said that China is ready to expand their trade ties with Afghanistan and ready to invest in mining, establishing economic zones and energy production. The Chinese Foreign Minister also stated that China will soon start mining of the Mes Aynak copper mine.

First Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Ghani Beradar Akhund reassured Mr. Wang about the serious fight against ISIS and ETIM, adding that these groups are disappearing on Afghan soil and they are serious about fighting with them.

At the end, the two sides emphasized on the importance of strengthening ties, a serious fight against ISIS and ETIM, and strengthening joint economic cooperation.