BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday received the ambassadorial credentials from the newly appointed Afghanistan Ambassador to Beijing, Mawlawi Asadullah Bilal Karimi, representing the interim Taliban administration.
The ceremony, held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, saw at least 42 new ambassadors presenting their credentials to President Xi.
In a state-run CCTV video, President Xi can be seen addressing the newly appointed heads of diplomatic missions during the event. Mawlawi Asadullah Bilal Karimi was designated as the new Afghan ambassador to Beijing by the interim Taliban administration on November 24.
On December 1, Hong Lei, the director general of protocols at China’s Foreign Ministry, received Ambassador Karimi’s credentials. The formal presentation of the letter of credence to President Xi took place today in a ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
The Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in August 2021; however, as of now, no member states of the United Nations have officially recognized the interim administration. In September of the same year, China became the first country to appoint a new ambassador to Afghanistan.
This diplomatic engagement signals ongoing relations between China and Afghanistan, even as the international community navigates the complex situation in the region.
Pakistan’s envoy Halil Hashmi also presented his letter of credence in the ceremony.
