China, which shares 76 km of border with Afghanistan, indicated Monday August 16 that it wanted "
friendly relations
" with the Taliban, the day after the capture of Kabul by the insurgents.
Read the report: China facing the world
Beijing "
respects the right of the Afghan people to decide their own destiny and their future,
" Chinese diplomacy spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters. "
The Taliban have repeatedly indicated their hope of developing good relations with China,
" she noted. The spokesperson also specified that the Chinese embassy in Kabul "
continues to function normally
".
China, which repatriated 210 of its nationals from Afghanistan in early July, called on the new authorities to ensure the safety of those who remained there.
The Chinese power in recent weeks has qualified as "
irresponsible
" the American withdrawal from Afghanistan, fearing above all an unrestrained civil war in its neighbor.
To read also: Afghanistan: "Dishonor"
Faced with the risk of Afghan chaos, the Chinese authorities began in September 2019 discussions with the Taliban, a delegation of which had been received at the time in China. The last official meeting in the country dates back to the end of July. The number 2 of the Taliban, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, had notably spoken with the Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi. In 2016, China also rallied Afghanistan to its major “
New Silk Roads
” infrastructure project
. But for lack of security, Chinese investments remain modest: $ 4.4 million in 2020, according to the Chinese Ministry of Commerce.