Beijing's cooperation means a lot for Kabul

The commitment of Afghanistan's neighbors, made last week in the fourth Foreign Ministers' Meeting of the Neighboring States of Afghanistan in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, to assist Afghanistan to meet the challenges it faces is likely to be critical to poverty alleviation in the country. As the world's second-largest economy, China plays a significant role in the region, especially in Afghanistan, which faces a serious economic crisis due to decades of political upheaval.

Based on the principle of "shared future" and "cultural exchanges", China is seeking an active and constructive engagement in regional affairs. It believes that trade and economic exchanges can demolish the wall of mistrust and help build a strong emotional bond between countries. That is, business can bridge the gap between trading partners and infuse cultural values and sincerity in their relationship.

With this in mind, China, through its 11-point position paper on Afghanistan, affirmed its decision to put its weight behind Afghanistan's reconstruction and economic development, which will not only transform Afghanistan from a "land-locked" to a "land-linked" country but also boost China-Afghanistan relations.