KABUL: China has become the first nation to formally designate a new ambassador to Afghanistan since the Taliban’s takeover in 2021. This significant development occurred as the Chinese envoy presented his credentials to Mohammad Hassan Akhund, the Taliban’s Prime Minister, during a ceremony held in Kabul.
It’s important to note that, thus far, the Taliban government has not received official recognition from any foreign government. It remains unclear whether China’s appointment of an ambassador indicates a step toward recognizing the Taliban regime.
The Chinese foreign ministry, in its statement, said that the move is the routine rotation of China’s ambassador to Afghanistan. The statement said that it aims to continue promoting dialogue and cooperation between China and Afghanistan. China’s stance on Afghanistan remains ‘’consistent and clear, ” said that statement.
A spokesperson from the Taliban administration’s foreign ministry confirmed that Zhao Xing is the first ambassador appointed since the Taliban took control of the country in August 2021.
IEA accepts credentials from new Chinese envoyhttps://t.co/zPpTGgcOod
The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s Prime Minister, Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund, accepted the credentials of Zhao Xing.#ArianaNews #Afghanistan #China #Ambassador pic.twitter.com/rdEnWN1DEv
— Ariana News (@ArianaNews_) September 13, 2023
Afghanistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Accepts Credentials of Chinese Ambassador
According to Bilal Karimi, the deputy spokesman of the Taliban administration, “Mohammad Hassan Akhund, the Prime Minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, accepted the credentials of Mr. Zhao Xing during a ceremony at Kabul.”
Wang Yu, China’s previous ambassador to Afghanistan, assumed the role in 2019 and concluded his tenure last month.
Many other countries and international delegations, such as Pakistan and the European Union, have posted senior diplomats designated as “chargé d’affaires” to look at diplomatic missions in Afghanistan.
This title typically signifies that they undertake ambassadorial responsibilities without officially holding the position of ambassador. Additionally, a number of ambassadors who were initially appointed during the previous foreign-backed Afghan government have continued to serve in Kabul with the same “chargé d’affaires” designation.
