Addressing the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), China’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Zhang Jun, on Thursday called on the international community to “firmly support” Afghanistan.
Zhang made the remarks at the 77th meeting of the UNGA which aimed to review the situation in Afghanistan. The representative of China asked the international community to adopt a “united and strong” position regarding Afghanistan.
After the fall of Afghanistan into the hands of the Taliban in August 2021, this country has faced a worsening humanitarian crisis and economic depression. The frozen banking system and liquidity shortage have left about 80% of people in debt. The United States has frozen the assets of this country worth more than $9 billion as part of its sanctions against the Taliban government.
Zhang urged the United Nations to try to unfreeze Afghan assets. Zhang further urged the UN to initiate an investigation of foreign troops’ criminal acts in the country. He called for “an objective stance”.
Zhang emphasized that the future of the Afghan people should be in the hands of Afghans themselves and he encouraged the Afghan people to find a suitable way to develop their country’s condition.
Zhang also condemned the politicization of humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan.
Recently, China announced that this country will grant zero-tariff treatment on 98% of the taxable products of Afghanistan, from December.
The Chinese ambassador to Afghanistan on November 09 tweeted, “This decision is conducive to implementing China’s mutually beneficial and win-win strategy and assisting Afghanistan to accelerate development.” Zhang, on behalf of Beijing, vowed to work with the international community to enhance regional cooperation and international communication.
