Global Times and People’s Daily, 30 October 2014
The two leading official English-language newspapers of the People’s Republic carry the same commentary on President Ghani’s China visit – so this seems to be the official line:
“Even when the last US soldier leaves, China will never take on the role played by the US and NATO and act as a powerful meddler. China supports peaceful rebuilding and ethnic reconciliation in the war-torn country, but it won’t forcefully shape a new landscape. […] The enormous investment by the US has achieved little results. It failed to stabilize the chaotic situation before the withdrawal of the US military. […]
A comprehensive involvement in Afghan affairs by China will bring huge risks. It will have to confront the mess that the US experienced, the different views of Afghan sects in addition to the remaining US influence, making it a nearly impossible idea.[…]
China has many interests in Afghanistan. No matter how risky Afghanistan’s peaceful reconstruction is, China needs to be there.
[…] The core is how we should do this. China lacks experience in this regard. […] As China’s interests expand, we cannot detach ourselves from dilemmas in international politics. This is the cost of being a major power and we need to get used to it.”
Revisions:
This article was last updated on 9 Mar 2020
