Chinese envoy appointed to Kabul

China became the first country on Wednesday to officially name a new ambassador to Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover, after its envoy presented credentials at a ceremony in Kabul. The Taliban regime has not been really recognized by any foreign government, and Beijing did not indicate whether Wednesday’s appointment signalled any wider steps towards official recognition of the Taliban. This is the normal rotation of China’s ambassador to Afghanistan, and is intended to continue advancing dialogue and cooperation between China and Afghanistan. China’s policy towards Afghanistan is clear and consistent,” China’s foreign ministry said in a statement. A Taliban administration foreign ministry spokesman said new envoy Zhao Xing was the first ambassador from any country to take up the post since August 2021, when the Taliban took over as US-led foreign forces withdrew after 20 years. Beijing becomes first country to depute ambassador to Afghanistan since Taliban takeover. Mohammad Hassan Akhund, acting prime minister in the Taliban administration, had accepted the new envoy’s credentials in a ceremony, the Taliban administration’s deputy spokesman, Bilal Karimi, said in a statement. The Taliban administration spokesperson’s office published photos of a ceremony at Afghanistan’s presidential palace on Wednesday at which the ambassador was received by officials, including Akhund and the acting foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi. China’s previous ambassador to Afghanistan, Wang Yu, took up the role in 2019 and finished his tenure last month.There are other diplomats in Kabul with the title of ambassador, but all of them took up their posts before the Taliban takeover. Other countries and bodies, such as Pakistan and the European Union, have since sent senior diplomats to lead diplomatic missions using the title “charge d’affaires”, which does not require presenting ambassadorial credentials to the host nation. The Taliban entered the capital on Aug 15, 2021, as the Afghan security forces, set up with years of Western support, disintegrated and US-backed president Ashraf Ghani fled. The flags of the China and the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan are displayed during a news conference held by Afghan Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar and Wang Yu, China’s ambassador in Afghanistan, in Kabul, Afghanistan, January 5, 2023.A new Chinese ambassador presented his credentials to the Taliban’s prime minister in Kabul on Wednesday, Afghan officials said, adding it was the first appointment of a foreign envoy at the ambassadorial level since the Taliban took power in 2021.The Taliban have not been officially recognized by any foreign government. It was not immediately clear if Wednesday’s appointment signalled any steps by Beijing towards official recognition of the Taliban. China’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to request for comment.”Mohammad Hassan Akhund, the Prime Minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, accepted the credentials of Mr Zhao Xing, the new Chinese ambassador to Afghanistan, during a ceremony,” said the Taliban administration’s deputy spokesman, Bilal Karimi, in a statement. A Taliban administration foreign ministry spokesman confirmed he was the first ambassador appointed since August 2021 when the Taliban took over as foreign forces withdrew. Inaugural China-Afghanistan consignment via TIR agreement sets new historic. China’s previous ambassador to Afghanistan, Wang Yu, took up the role in 2019 and finished his tenure last month. Other nations and international delegations, such as Pakistan and the European Union, have sent senior diplomats to lead diplomatic missions in Kabul but they have taken on a ‘char gee d’affaires’ title, usually meaning they are responsible for ambassadorial duties but do not really hold the role of ambassador. Some ambassadors appointed during the previous foreign-backed Afghan government have also stayed in Kabul with the same title.The Taliban entered the capital on Aug. 15, 2021, as the Afghan security forces, set up with years of Western support, shattered and US-backed President Ashraf Ghani fled.
Inaugural China-Afghanistan consignment via TIR agreement sets new landmark. Consignment, carrying dry fruits, commenced on its journey from China, travelling through Pakistan. In a significant occasion that highlights the strength of international cooperation and connectivity, a consignment of dry fruits was ceremoniously sent from China to Afghanistan, transiting through Pakistan under the Transports Internationaux Routiers agreement. The event, held on Monday at Sost, Gilgit, was attended by key dignitaries, including the Director of Transit Trade Peshawar, the Deputy Commissioner of Hunza, and the Collector of Customs in Gilgit-Baltistan.The consignment, carrying an assortment of exquisite dry fruits, embarked on its journey from China, travelling through Pakistan, before reaching its final destination in Afghanistan. This historic underscores the significance of vital partnerships, diplomacy, and collective aspirations for global progress.
This inaugural ceremony depicts a historic step towards strengthening stronger ties between nations and promoting cross-border trade,” said Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Secretary Mohyuddin Wani. By supporting the movement of goods from China to Afghanistan via Pakistan, the TIR agreement stands as a proof to the potential of cooperative initiatives in boosting economic growth and regional stability.”As international trade through the Sost Dry Port continues to surge, the event coincides with another significant development the commencement of international flights at Skardu.These combined advancements are expected to further increase the region’s connectivity, facilitating perfect movement of goods and people. Taliban welcome first Chinese ambassador since takeover.
China has become the first country to name an ambassador to Afghanistan since the Taliban regained power in 2021.The Taliban said Zhao Xing’s appointment is a sign for other nations to establish ties with its government. No other country has recognized the Taliban government which has been criticized for numerous human rights violations in Afghanistan. China was among the first countries to engage with them after they returned to power in 2021.China’s foreign ministry on Wednesday said Beijing will “continue advancing dialogue and cooperation” with Afghanistan and that its policy towards the country is “clear and consistent”.Mr Zhao’s appointment is part of a “normal rotation” of Chinese ambassadors to Afghanistan, it added.
The UN and other international rights groups have condemned the Taliban for its treatment of women as well as for reinstating practices like public executions and stoning. Under Taliban rule, women are barred from working and going to school, among a swathe of other restrictions. Their suppression of women’s rights is thought to be among the harshest in the world. The Taliban has also been accused of sheltering terrorist groups in Afghanistan, though they have denied it.