US State Department: China should clarify its position on the recognition of IEA

Matthew Miller, the spokesperson of the US State Department said late Tuesday, in response to China’s president receiving the credentials of the ambassador of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), that Beijing’s position regarding the recognition of the Islamic Emirate is still unclear.

He said that he will express his opinion on this matter after hearing the official statements of the Chinese government.

“I have seen those reports and I think the Chinese government will talk about [Beijing’s relationship with the Taliban] and whether they (China) officially recognize the Taliban (IEA) or not,” he told a news conference.

“I’ve seen some of their differing opinions.”

He emphasized once again that the current relations between China and the Islamic Emirate will not change the American policy regarding the recognition of the Islamic Emirate and that specific steps need to be taken, including improving the status of women, for them to be recognized.

He added: “Therefore, I will wait for the Chinese government to clarify this matter before making an assessment of this action.”

He asked China and other countries to use their influence to change the behavior of the Islamic Emirate.

This comes after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Tuesday by publishing pictures that Chinese President Xi Jinping accepted the credentials of Asadullah Bilal Karimi as the ambassador and extraordinary representative of the Islamic Emirate.

Abdul Qahar Balkhi, the spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, wrote in a newsletter that Bilal Karimi’s credentials were presented to Xi during a special ceremony. He was among at least 42 envoys from foreign countries who presented their credentials on Tuesday to Xi.