Afghanistan to join in China-Pakistan economic corridor
Afghanistan would participate in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor that Beijing wants to extend to the country, Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani said as he met his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi here on Tuesday.
Calling China a forever and reliable partner of Afghanistan, Rabbani said Afghanistan is ready to actively participate in the Belt and Road Initiative and enhance cooperation with China in such areas as inter-connectivity, infrastructure, and energy, the official Xinhua news agency reported.
"The successful implementation of CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor) projects will serve as a model for enhancing connectivity and cooperation through similar projects with neighbouring countries, including Afghanistan, Iran and with central and west Asia," said Asif.
Yang called Afghanistan an important partner of China's Belt and Road Initiative and said Beijing would like to synergise its development strategy with Afghanistan.
The BRI aims to build a modern-day Silk Road connecting the country to economies in Southeast and Central Asia by land and West Asia and Europe by sea. China is investing over $50 billion in Pakistan to create an economic corridor that would link its western region to the Arabian sea.
Beijing is also trying to boost economic and trade ties with Afghanistan.
The Yang-Rabbani meeting took place ahead of their trilateral dialogue with Pakistan Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif on connectivity, security, counter-terrorism and development.
"The successful implementation of CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor) projects will serve as a model for enhancing connectivity and cooperation through similar projects with neighbouring countries, including Afghanistan, Iran and with central and west Asia," said Asif.
The meeting was the first of its kind since the three countries agreed to establish a trilateral dialogue mechanism in June.
Yang said China expects to see a wide and inclusive political reconciliation process in Afghanistan led and owned by the Afghan people.He also said the meeting also aims to set up a communication platform for Afghanistan and Pakistan.
He called on the two countries to build trust, enhance understanding and improve ties.Afghanistan has accused Pakistan of providing a safe haven for Taliban militants.