In a September meeting between China’s Ambassador to Afghanistan Wang Yu and Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, China declared that its first batch of humanitarian aid will reach Afghanistan before the arrival of winter. (The News, September 28). The emergency humanitarian aid is worth approximately $31 million and includes three million COVID-19 vaccine doses, food, medicine and other winter supplies (Global Times, September 8). China is the first foreign country to pledge humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan since the Taliban captured Kabul on August 15. The aid pledge from Beijing came days after the Taliban declared China as their “main partner” in rebuilding and developing Afghanistan. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said “China will be our main partner and represents a great opportunity for us because it is ready to invest in our country and support reconstruction efforts” (Express Tribune , September 2).
Opportunities and Challenges for China’s Plans in Afghanistan – Jamestown
