China Respects Taliban’s Policies, Says Group’s Ministry of Interior

The Taliban's Ministry of Interior on Sunday announced that Zhao Xing, the new Chinese ambassador to Afghanistan, met Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Interior Minister of the group’s government.

According to the Taliban, Xing said that China fully respects the "independence, beliefs and culture of Afghanistan."

Many countries have urged the Taliban to change their policies towards women and girls in Afghanistan.

However, the Taliban have stated that the ban on women's work and education is "a part of Afghan culture". The group has asked the international community and the United Nations to respect cultural differences and not to interfere in the internal affairs of the Taliban.

China is one of the few countries which has not criticised the violation of women’s and girls’ rights under the Taliban rule.

The Taliban’s Ministry of Interior stated that the Chinese Ambassador has emphasised on non-interference in the internal affairs of Afghanistan.

According to the group’s statement, Haqqani has also praised China's position towards Afghanistan.

Following the appointment of a new Chinese ambassador for Afghanistan, Mullah Hassan Akhund, the Taliban’s Prime Minister accepted his credentials on September 13, and welcomed him in a special ceremony held at the Arg (Presidential Palace).

During his meeting with the Taliban officials, Xing stressed on maintaining the territorial integrity and independence of Afghanistan.

According to the Taliban, Xing stressed that China does not follow the policy of interference in the Afghanistan affairs and will work to strengthen relations and cooperation between the two countries.

China is one of the few countries which has established close relations with the Taliban since their takeover of power and has signed several contracts in the mining sector of Afghanistan.

The new Chinese ambassador to Afghanistan is the first foreign ambassador who has been sent to Afghanistan under the Taliban control with official credentials.

China is looking at its economic interests in Afghanistan, and in the last two years, Chinese companies have signed several mining contracts in Afghanistan.