China calls for lifting of Afghan asset freeze

(CLO) China has once again urged the countries involved to quickly release and return Afghanistan's overseas assets.

On December 15, the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2763, extending the mandate of the group monitoring sanctions against the Taliban and related individuals and organizations for another 14 months.

China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Geng Shuang, emphasized China's support for the monitoring group's enhanced cooperation with the Afghan interim government. He also expressed hope that the group would soon make a direct visit to Afghanistan.

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China called on the countries involved to immediately end unilateral sanctions and return all of Afghanistan's overseas assets. Geng Shuang asserted that these measures are obstacles to economic recovery and improved living standards for the country's people.

Afghanistan's foreign assets remain frozen due to sanctions against the Taliban. The Taliban regime has repeatedly requested access to these funds, but the US and its allies have consistently refused, citing human rights concerns.

Salman Bashir, former Pakistani ambassador to China, believes China's stance aligns with the latest Security Council resolution. He stressed that while the Taliban need to do more to control terrorist activities from Afghanistan, freezing the country's assets is no longer justified, especially as the Taliban regime is increasing international cooperation.

Imtiaz Gul, Director of the Pakistan Centre for Security Studies, commented that China has made it clear that issues of terrorism and human rights should be handled separately. He emphasized that in recent years, Afghanistan under Taliban control has achieved a certain degree of stability, sufficient to warrant the release of assets.

According to China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Fu Tong, Afghanistan is facing numerous challenges such as food shortages, natural disasters, and 24 million people in need of humanitarian assistance. Despite this, the Afghan interim government has made efforts to rebuild the economy and strengthen regional cooperation.

Khalid Taimur Akram, Director of the Pakistan Research Center, argues that lifting sanctions and returning frozen assets is not only a moral obligation but also a strategic step to promote regional peace and development.

Cao Phong (China Daily, Al Jazeera)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/trung-quoc-keu-goi-do-bo-phong-toa-tai-san-cua-afghanistan-o-nuoc-ngoai-post325970.html