Amir Khan Muttaqi, the acting foreign minister of the Islamic Emirate, in a meeting with the head of China International Development Cooperation Agency, Chen Xiaodong, emphasized the importance of China's development projects in Afghanistan and the expansion of bilateral cooperation.

During the meeting, Muttaqi presented a series of practical proposals to the Chinese side to be prioritized in Afghanistan’s reconstruction efforts.

Zia Ahmad Takal, head of public relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said: “Mr. Chen Xiaodong pledged cooperation with Afghanistan in the fields of health, energy, agriculture, and capacity building and expressed hope that the ongoing cooperation with Afghanistan would continue. He also promised collaboration in infrastructure development, livestock, and feasibility studies for oil and gas resources.”

China is considered one of the active countries in Afghanistan’s economic engagement and reconstruction.

Some political analysts believe that China has consistently supported Afghanistan in international forums.

“Afghanistan is economically weak; therefore, it is essential that a country like China stands by it—both economically and politically. Despite not being officially recognized yet, Afghanistan has good diplomatic relations with China,” said Sayed Abdullah Sadiq, a political analyst.

Meanwhile, the Chinese foreign ministry announced that during a trilateral meeting among China, Afghanistan, and Pakistan held on Wednesday, Amir Khan Muttaqi, Islamic Emirate’s acting foreign minister and Ishaq Dar, Pakistan’s deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs, expressed their desire to upgrade diplomatic relations to the ambassadorial level.

“Ambassadors are political representatives of their countries and pursue the policies adopted by their governments. Pakistanis should understand that Afghanistan is no longer the Afghanistan of the past and should not continue their previous hostile policies toward it,” said Salim Paigir, a political analyst.

These statements were made as the foreign ministers of China, Pakistan, and Afghanistan met yesterday in Beijing and discussed the enhancement of diplomatic engagement, strengthening cooperation, launching joint infrastructure projects, advancing the Belt and Road Initiative and extending the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor into Afghanistan.