A view of Kabul, Afghanistan, August 14, 2024. /Xinhua
Editor's note: Bai Fan, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is an associate researcher at the Institute of Chinese Borderland Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. The article reflects the author's views and not necessarily those of CGTN.
Historically, Afghanistan has been at an important crossroads of Central Asia. Since the 19th century, Afghanistan has been on the margins of the global economic and cultural system due to years of war. The United States' completion of its military withdrawal from Afghanistan on August 30, 2021, marked the dawn of peace in Afghanistan. However, there is still a long way to go before peace can be restored.
Challenges of peaceful reconstruction
Afghanistan's economic collapse is a major obstacle. With a population of over 40 million, the country remains one of the poorest countries in the world. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, "nearly half of all Afghans live in poverty, with rates particularly high among women." The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations considers that the food security situation remains alarming with over 15 million people or 36 percent of the population being food insecure. At the same time, opium cultivation and production and drug addiction have long been a problem in Afghanistan.
Domestic and international security issues under the Taliban authorities are also severe. For example, terrorist groups are a threat to the Taliban and the region beyond Afghanistan. The ambiguous relationship between the Afghan Taliban and the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan has also undermined anti-terrorism cooperation within the international community.
In addition, Western countries led by the U.S. have implemented a contradictory strategy towards Afghanistan. While emphasizing that the humanitarian crises in Afghanistan need to be addressed, they isolate Afghanistan by sanctions, accusing it of human rights violations. These measures hinder international aid to Afghanistan and the formation of a diplomatic solution for Afghanistan's reintegration into the global community.
Consensus needed to support peaceful reconstruction
In the face of the persistent crises in Afghanistan, the international community should enhance dialogue and cooperation with the Afghan caretaker government to support local peace and reconstruction. Incentives rather than pressure will be more helpful for promoting the government to implement inclusive governance, tackling human rights problems and fighting against terrorism.
As Afghanistan remains mired in a humanitarian disaster, the international community should activate emergency aid reserves, provide food aid, and strengthen assistance in infrastructure construction such as housing, medical care, and clean water to avoid the risk of famine in Afghanistan.
At the societal level, the international community should actively negotiate with the Taliban-led caretaker government, encouraging them to respect the basic rights of women, children, and minority groups, strengthen education and legal systems, and promote the reconstruction of Afghan society.
The international community should support the Afghan government in reintegrating into the global community, jointly combating terrorism, and preventing Afghanistan from once again becoming a safe harbor for transnational terrorists and a new breeding ground for terrorism.
China's helping hand for Afghanistan reconstruction
The political will and practical actions of the Chinese government to support the peace process and reconstruction in Afghanistan are obvious. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a paper stating China's position on the Afghan issue in 2023, supporting moderate and prudent governance in Afghanistan and strengthening international and regional coordination on the Afghan issue.
Vehicles run on a section of the Chinese-built road in Nangarhar Province, east Afghanistan, November 23, 2023. /Xinhua
Different from the interventionist behavior of the U.S. and other Western countries, China has always adhered to the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence in handling its foreign relations. Within the framework of the policy of developing good-neighborly and friendly relations with neighboring countries, the Chinese government respects Afghanistan's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and actively supports its peace process and reconstruction.
Under the framework of China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative and Afghanistan's geographical and resource advantages, the Central Asian country's reconstruction is not a dream far away. At present, China has provided various assistance for Afghanistan's reconstruction, such as promoting economic, trade and investment cooperation, assisting in the construction of water conservancy, hospitals and other livelihood projects, carrying out cooperation in poverty reduction, agricultural assistance, disaster prevention and reduction, climate change response, and cultural exchanges, and training professional and technical personnel in various fields to help Afghanistan achieve self-sufficiency and sustainable development.
Afghanistan should seize this opportunity to strengthen counterterrorism and security cooperation with the international community, resolutely combat all terrorist forces, and establish an appropriate legal framework. This will help create a secure domestic and international environment conducive to the peaceful reconstruction of the country, allowing Afghanistan to leverage its comparative advantages and integrate into regional economic cooperation and connectivity.
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