China is ready to deepen "friendly and cooperative" relations with Afghanistan, a government spokeswoman said Monday, after the Taliban seized control of the country. "The Taliban have repeatedly expressed their hope to develop good relations with China, and that they look forward to China's participation in the reconstruction and development of Afghanistan," foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters. China respects the right of the Afghan people to independently determine their own destiny and is willing to continue to develop... friendly and cooperative relations with Afghanistan." China has repeatedly criticised what it sees as the US' hasty withdrawal from Afghanistan as a failure of leadership. The Taliban meanwhile may consider China a crucial source of investment and economic support, either directly or via Pakistan – a close Beijing ally.

Source: The Express Tribune August 16, 2021 10:07 UTC