Taliban Reaches Out to China... Requests Humanitarian Aid Including Food Supplies

Hope for Economic Cooperation with China Including Participation in the Belt and Road Initiative
Avoids Direct Answer on ETIM Members' Intentions Regarding China and India

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] The Taliban, which has taken control of Afghanistan, expressed its intention to participate in China's Belt and Road Initiative and requested economic support from China. They also emphasized that cutting ties with terrorist organizations is beneficial for Afghanistan and stated that three ministries, including the Ministry of Defense, will be responsible for counterterrorism efforts going forward. This is a plea to the Chinese leadership, which is concerned about terrorist organizations, to join hands with them to block these groups.

Suhail Shahin, Taliban spokesperson, expressed this in an interview with China's state-run Global Times and expressed hope for cooperation with China.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Spokesperson Shahin said, "Terrorist groups such as the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) can no longer stay in Afghanistan, nor can Afghanistan be used as a base for terrorism," adding that most ETIM members have already left Afghanistan. He continued, "The whole world is watching whether the Taliban can suppress terrorist organizations," and emphasized, "In the future, three ministries?the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Interior, and Ministry of Intelligence?will carry out counterterrorism duties."

He said, "The Taliban wants to rebuild the Afghan nation," promising three things: no military training for terrorist groups, no fundraising, and no recruitment of terrorist members.

Spokesperson Shahin also said, "The Taliban hopes to participate in China's Belt and Road Initiative," reiterating economic cooperation with China. He also requested humanitarian aid. He said, "Afghanistan is facing a food crisis," and urged, "We ask China to provide humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan."

He expressed hope for a visit by senior Taliban officials to Beijing. Shahin said, "We will invite senior delegations from China and Russia to Kabul, and afterwards, we hope for a visit by a senior Taliban delegation to Beijing," reaffirming the intention to improve relations with China.

However, when asked whether ETIM members could be handed over to China upon the Chinese government's request, Shahin did not give a direct answer, the Global Times added.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.