Advertisement
Opinion | Why US should encourage China to lead Afghanistan’s long-term reconstruction
- America’s large aid donations to Afghanistan while it also imposes debilitating sanctions on the Taliban does no one any good
- China shares US security and humanitarian concerns and has experience in engineering rapid economic growth – plus, cooperation would help ease tensions
Reading Time:3 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
16
In June, a powerful earthquake struck Afghanistan, killing at least 1,000 people and resulting in huge economic losses.
Compared with the Tonga volcano disaster in January, when many countries promptly came forward with generous donations, the American response to the Afghan quake has been slow. US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said the White House would “assess US response options”.
Since the US withdrawal and subsequent Taliban takeover in 2021, Washington has maintained sanctions on the de facto government. Yet the US is also the single largest donor of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan. The earthquake response highlights America’s dilemma, and the need to reshape aid to the nation.
Advertisement
The US and its partners seek to prevent Taliban rule and growing hardship from fuelling new unrest in the region. Inviting China to lead Afghanistan’s long-term reconstruction would benefit all parties.
After 50 years of successive wars, Afghans are facing a humanitarian catastrophe. A collapsing economy, poor health system, food shortages, internal conflicts and terrorism threats have contributed to the dire situation, while drought and the Covid-19 pandemic have only intensified it. Last month’s earthquake was yet another blow to the fragile country.
Advertisement
Despite the Taliban government’s weaknesses, there is no other Afghan political power to challenge it. The Afghan people are desperate for peace and development.
Advertisement
Select Voice
Choose your listening speed
Get through articles 2x faster
1.25x
250 WPM
Slow
Average
Fast
1.25x