Hanafi in China: Strong and friendly relations require positive engagement

Abdul Salam Hanafi, Administrative Deputy of Prime Minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), has met with senior Chinese officials and a number of investors during his visit to China.

The meetings, also attended by Nooruddin Azizi, Acting Minister of Industry and Commerce, and Mohammad Naeem Wardak, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, emphasized the importance of win-win cooperation between Afghanistan and China in various areas.

Hanafi stated that the Islamic Emirate supports China’s major “Belt and Road” initiative and expressed hope for enhanced and expanded cooperation between the two countries across multiple sectors.

On the Chinese side, Wang Dongming, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, said that China and Afghanistan, as close neighbors, have no issues in their relations and stressed that cooperation should be strengthened based on mutual interests. He also noted that the opening of the China–South Asia Expo would bring new economic opportunities for Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, Chinese investors expressed their interest in investing in Afghanistan during a meeting with the Afghan delegation and called for the Islamic Emirate’s support in facilitating such investments.

In response, Deputy Prime Minister Hanafi highlighted Afghanistan’s broad investment opportunities and assured that the Islamic Emirate is fully prepared to provide all necessary support and facilities for both domestic and foreign investors, particularly those from China.