On January 21, 2023, Foreign Minister Qin Gang had a phone call with Acting Foreign Minister of the Afghan Interim Government Amir Khan Muttaqi.

Qin Gang said that as the Spring Festival approaches, China attaches great importance to the safety of Chinese personnel, institutions and projects in Afghanistan, and hopes that Afghanistan will take strong measures to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel and institutions in Afghanistan.

Muttaqi extended Spring Festival greetings to the Chinese people, and said that Afghanistan will never allow any forces to use its territory to engage in activities that sabotage Afghanistan-China friendship and undermine China’s interests. The country will resolutely combat terrorism in all forms and take strong measures to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel and institutions in Afghanistan.

Qin Gang said that China attaches great importance to developing relations featuring good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation with Afghanistan, always respects the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Afghanistan, respects the independent choice made by the Afghan people, and respects the religious beliefs and national traditions in Afghanistan. China never interferes in Afghanistan’s internal affairs, nor seeks any selfish gains in Afghanistan or the so-called sphere of influence. China supports the Afghan interim government in establishing a broad-based and inclusive political structure, adopting moderate and sound domestic and foreign policies, combating terrorism in all forms, and having friendly exchanges with all other countries, especially its neighbors. China sympathizes with the Afghan people over their suffering and stands ready to provide more assistance for Afghanistan in its economic and social development and the improvement of people’s livelihoods.

Muttaqi said that the Afghan interim government is committed to the one-China principle, supports China in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, welcomes China to play a more important role in international and regional affairs and hopes to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with China.