China pledges quake aid for Afghanistan but also wants Taliban to take action on terrorism
- During call between foreign ministers, Wang Yi describes China as a ‘true friend’ to its neighbour and promises tents and beds in US$7.4 million aid package
- Taliban acting foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi says Kabul ‘fully understands’ Beijing’s security concerns
China has pledged to deliver more aid to tens of thousands of Afghans while also urging its South Asian neighbour to keep up the fight against terrorism.
Speaking to Taliban acting foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi on Monday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that as a “friendly neighbour and a true friend to Afghanistan”, China felt deep empathy with Afghan people affected by the devastating earthquake and would give more help according to Afghanistan’s needs.
“We are confident that the Afghan side will unite to overcome the disaster and rebuild their homes as soon as possible,” Wang said, according to a Chinese foreign ministry statement on Tuesday morning.
02:17
More than 1,000 deaths now reported after Afghanistan earthquake as rescuers try to reach victims
Monday’s phone call came after a 6.2-magnitude earthquake hit a remote and mountainous area in southeastern Afghanistan on Wednesday last week, killing at least 1,000 people, injuring more than 2,000 others and destroying over 10,000 homes. It was a further blow for the country, mired in humanitarian and economic crises since the Taliban took over in August last year.