Current:Home > MarketsThe Taliban’s new ambassador to China arrives in Beijing as they court foreign investment -Achieve Wealth Network
The Taliban’s new ambassador to China arrives in Beijing as they court foreign investment
View
Date:2025-04-14 06:25:51
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — The Taliban’s new ambassador to China arrived in Beijing on Friday — the first time Afghanistan’s rulers have officially sent an ambassador to another country since returning to power more than two years ago.
No country recognizes the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan but some, including China, have embassies in the capital. Many other diplomatic missions were shuttered and their staff evacuated as the Taliban bore down on Kabul.
China is of particular importance to the Taliban, who are courting foreign investment and regional alliances amid their continued isolation on the international stage because of their restrictions on Afghan women and girls.
The new ambassador, Bilal Karimi, who has no diplomatic experience and is in his late 20s or early 30s, was welcomed in Beijing by China’s special envoy for Afghan affairs at the Foreign Ministry, Yue Xiaoyong, according to a Taliban statement. Karimi presented his credentials to the ministry’s director-general of the protocol department, Hong Lei.
Before his appointment as ambassador, Karimi was a spokesman in the Taliban-controlled administration and worked with its chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, who is close to the Taliban supreme leader.
Lei welcomed Karimi and called his appointment an important step in the development of relations between the two countries, the Taliban statement said. Lei said Karimi’s credentials will be presented to Chinese President Xi Jinping in a special ceremony.
Karimi praised China’s positive policies toward Afghanistan, especially for not intervening in domestic issues, and said the country was a good neighbor.
The Taliban have been trying to gain control of Afghan embassies over the past two years, sometimes publicly rebuking the host countries for not cooperating.
In India, Afghanistan’s embassy closed last week, citing a lack of support from New Delhi and the absence of a legitimate government in Kabul.
The Taliban’s deputy foreign minister, Abbas Stanikzai, told state television that some countries did not hand the embassies over because of political considerations or U.S. pressure. Some embassies, including the one in India, were working against the Taliban, Stanikzai claimed.
“We have consulates in Mumbai and Hyderabad. They are active and in touch with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and provide consular services daily,” Stanikzai told RTA. “After two to three days, the embassy will open again and provide services.”
The Taliban frequently complain about the lack of official recognition.
They don’t have Afghanistan’s seat at the U.N. General Assembly — that is still held by officials from the former Western-backed government — and earlier this week they condemned their exclusion from the COP28 climate summit in Dubai.
They said summit organizers were depriving Afghans of their rights. The National Environmental Protection Agency of Afghanistan said it had prepared a comprehensive plan for this year’s meeting, but was not invited.
Much of the international community’s reluctance to engage with the Taliban stems from their restrictions on women and girls. Afghanistan is the only country in the world with bans on female education. Women are banned from most jobs and public spaces. Girls cannot go to school beyond the sixth grade, including university.
veryGood! (7658)
Related
- EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
- 'Company of Heroes 3' deserves a spot in any war game fan's library
- Derek Jeter Shares Rare Look Inside His All-Star Life as a Girl Dad
- Cheers Your Pumptini to Our Vanderpump Rules Gift Guide
- Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
- 11 Women-Owned Home Brands to Cozy Up With During Women’s History Month (And Beyond)
- Strut Your Stuff At Graduation With These Gorgeous $30-And-Under Dresses
- El Niño is coming back — and could last the rest of the year
- In ‘Nickel Boys,’ striving for a new way to see
- Ulta 24-Hour Flash Sale: Take 50% Off Lancôme, Urban Decay, Dr. Brandt, Lime Crime, and Maëlys Cosmetics
Ranking
- Head of the Federal Aviation Administration to resign, allowing Trump to pick his successor
- Vanderpump Rules’ Lala Kent Has a Message for Raquel Leviss Before the Season 10 Reunion
- If ChatGPT designed a rocket — would it get to space?
- Italy calls a crisis meeting after pasta prices jump 20%
- Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie return for an 'Encore,' reminisce about 'The Simple Life'
- Stylist Law Roach Reveals the Scariest Part of His Retirement Journey
- Goodnight, sweet spacecraft: NASA's InSight lander may have just signed off from Mars
- A Definitive Ranking of the Most Dramatic Real Housewives Trips Ever
Recommendation
Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
TikTok's Taylor Frankie Paul Shares Update on Her Mental Health Journey After Arrest
The Masked Singer: A WWE Star and a Beloved Actress Are Revealed
See the Vanderpump Rules Cast Arrive to Season 10 Reunion Amid Scandoval
Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
A new AI-powered TikTok filter is sparking concern
Dad of 12 Nick Cannon Regrets Not Having a Baby With Christina Milian
Citing security concerns, Canada bans TikTok on government devices