The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) has announced that Chinese officials have welcomed its newly appointed ambassador in Beijing on Friday.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement said that Asadullah Bilal Karimi presented a copy of his credentials to Hong Li, the Head of the Protocol Department at the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

According to the statement, Hong Li welcomed Bilal Karimi and considered his appointment as ambassador an important step in the expansion of relations between China and Afghanistan.

He said that China respects the national sovereignty of Afghanistan and the decisions of the people of this country and does not interfere in its internal affairs.

Hong pointed out that China wants to cooperate with Afghanistan in the framework of the “Belt and Road” initiative in the field of economic and infrastructure projects.

Meanwhile, Bilal Karimi said that he is glad to start working as the ambassador and special representative of the Islamic Emirate in China.

He added that this is an important chapter in the expansion of relations between the two countries.

Bilal Karimi assured China that no country will be threatened from Afghanistan soil, adding that stability and security in the region is in the interest of all. He also appreciated China’s “positive and non-interference policy” in Afghanistan’s affairs, and called China a good neighbor of Afghanistan.

Karimi also highlighted the importance of China’s role in investment, infrastructure restoration, development and reconstruction projects. He said that the current stability in Afghanistan is a good opportunity which should be fully utilized.

In the meeting, Hong Li expressed hope that with the appointment of the new IEA ambassador in China, relations between China and Afghanistan will be strengthened and expanded.