China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, discussed regional issues, including the situation in Afghanistan and the Middle East, during talks in Riyadh.
According to a statement from China’s Foreign Ministry, Wang met Prince Faisal on Sunday, 14 December, on the sidelines of the fifth meeting of the China–Saudi Arabia Joint High-Level Committee.
During the meeting, Wang said China supports Saudi Arabia playing a more prominent role in regional and international affairs. No further details were released about the ministers’ discussions specifically on Afghanistan.
China has not formally recognised the Taliban administration but has been among the first countries to establish broad diplomatic and economic relations with it since the group returned to power.
Saudi Arabia has also not recognised the Taliban administration. However, over the past two decades particularly since the collapse of Afghanistan’s former government and the sharp decline in international assistance Riyadh has continued to provide humanitarian and relief aid to Afghanistan.
