Afghan Media Delegation Visits China to Discuss Expanded Media and Economic Cooperation
A joint delegation of representatives from Afghanistan’s state and private media, led by Hafiz Zia Ahmad Takal, the Head of Information and Public Relations and Deputy Spokesperson of the Taliban Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has traveled to China at Beijing’s official invitation. The purpose of the visit is to discuss broadening political, economic, cultural, and especially media cooperation between the two countries.
According to Bakhtar news agency, the delegation toured the cities of Shanghai, Xi’an, and Urumqi during their visit. They also visited historical, cultural, media, industrial, and tourist sites in these cities, gathering information on urban development, modern technologies, the media sector, agriculture, industry, and China’s cultural heritage.
The delegation additionally explored the Tian Shan Heavenly Lake in the Xinjiang region, agricultural and food production companies, museums, and a large international market. Meetings with several officials from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs were also part of the official itinerary.
During these meetings, Hafiz Zia Ahmad Takal stated that Afghanistan and China share historical relations based on good neighborliness, mutual respect, and common interests. He emphasized expanding joint media programs, professional training, journalist exchanges, and establishing direct links between media outlets of the two countries.
Chinese officials, in turn, described media as a vital bridge for strengthening mutual understanding and trust among nations and welcomed the development of reciprocal visits by Afghan and Chinese journalists.
This visit comes amid ongoing extensive restrictions on media activities and journalists within Afghanistan, where many media institutions face serious challenges. It is hoped that any external cooperation in the media sector will contribute to improving freedom of expression and practical support for journalists inside Afghanistan.
Previously, several Afghan journalists and media representatives have also traveled to China.
