China’s Foreign Minister Emphasizes Afghanistan’s Stability as Key to Regional Security
Wang Yi, China’s Foreign Minister, has stated that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) supports the stability and development of Afghanistan, describing it as crucial for regional security. Speaking at the 25th anniversary celebration of the SCO’s founding in Beijing, he said that Afghanistan’s reconstruction and development are part of broader efforts to ensure lasting peace and stability in the region.
The Chinese Foreign Minister stressed: “We must safeguard peace and security; adhere to the principles of common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security; work towards peace and stability in the Middle East; and support Afghanistan’s reconstruction and development to establish lasting peace and stability in the region.”
These remarks come as the Taliban administration has recently requested formal membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Although Afghanistan has participated as an observer member since 2012, the absence of a globally recognized government and ongoing political and social restrictions within the country remain significant challenges to expanding formal regional cooperation.
Previously, Russia had also emphasized the need to revive the SCO Contact Group on Afghanistan, an initiative that could pave the way for more regular dialogue on Afghanistan’s situation.
Meanwhile, political analyst Seyed Moghaddam Amin said that the SCO is one of the region’s most influential bodies and that Afghanistan’s formal membership could create new opportunities for economic and security cooperation. According to him, expanding relations with the organization, if responsibly managed, will benefit the country.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization was established on June 14, 2001, and Afghanistan has participated as an observer in its meetings for approximately a decade.
