China Expresses Readiness to Operationalize the Wakhan Corridor

Liu Jinsong, the chief of the Asian Department at China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, engaged in talks with the Afghan Ambassador in Beijing, Mawlawi Asadullah Bilal Karimi, focusing on advancing and fortifying political ties, enhancing bilateral trade, and bolstering economic cooperation between the two nations. The discussions also encompassed the sustained positive interactions and collaborations […]

Liu Jinsong, the chief of the Asian Department at China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, engaged in talks with the Afghan Ambassador in Beijing, Mawlawi Asadullah Bilal Karimi, focusing on advancing and fortifying political ties, enhancing bilateral trade, and bolstering economic cooperation between the two nations.

The discussions also encompassed the sustained positive interactions and collaborations in politics, economics, commerce, and transit with regional and neighboring countries.

Liu Jinsong commended the efforts of the Islamic Emirate in activating the Wakhan Corridor connecting China and Afghanistan, expressing a willingness to gradually progress in this endeavor. He disclosed that in 2025, the Chinese president is set to eliminate customs tariffs on exports from approximately 40 countries, including Afghanistan, which bodes well for Afghan traders.

Additionally, he pledged that oil and gas firms such as MCC and Central Asia will facilitate the expedited extraction of oil in the Amu river oil basin and expand and accelerate operations at the Mes Aynak project.