China Advocates for the Unfreezing of Afghanistan’s Assets to Aid Recovery

International News Department 16-12-2024

China has reaffirmed its call for the unfreezing and return of Afghanistan’s overseas financial assets, emphasizing that such measures are crucial for stabilizing the Afghan economy and improving living conditions for its people. Analysts and international experts have applauded this stance as a balanced and constructive approach to aiding Afghanistan’s recovery.

On Friday, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 2763 unanimously, extending the mandate of the team monitoring sanctions on the Taliban and related groups for 14 months. The resolution aims to address threats to Afghanistan’s peace, stability, and security while highlighting the necessity of tackling the country’s economic and humanitarian challenges.

China welcomed the adoption of the resolution. Geng Shuang, China’s deputy permanent representative to the UN, stressed the importance of engaging with Afghanistan’s interim government. “We look forward to an early visit by the monitoring team to Afghanistan,” Geng said. He urged concerned nations to unconditionally release and return Afghanistan’s frozen overseas assets, lift unilateral sanctions, and support initiatives aimed at improving the livelihoods of the Afghan people.

The resolution underscores the urgency of rebuilding Afghanistan’s banking and financial systems and utilizing the country’s central bank reserves for the welfare of its citizens. Experts have noted that this step is pivotal for Afghanistan’s long-term recovery.

Salman Bashir, a former Pakistani ambassador to China, highlighted that China’s position aligns with the UN’s extended mandate for monitoring Taliban-linked sanctions. While acknowledging that the Taliban must take stronger action to curb terrorist activities within its borders, Bashir noted that Afghanistan has achieved a measure of stability under the current regime. He also argued that freezing Afghanistan’s overseas assets contradicts the Taliban’s increasing cooperation with the international community.

Imtiaz Gul, executive director of the Center for Research and Security Studies in Pakistan, supported China’s perspective on addressing terrorism and human rights concerns separately. “Human rights should not be weaponized to pressure target nations,” Gul stated. He criticized the linkage of Afghanistan’s frozen funds to human rights issues, pointing out that the situation in Afghanistan has stabilized enough to warrant releasing the funds.

Fu Cong, China’s permanent representative to the UN, highlighted the critical challenges facing Afghanistan during a Security Council briefing. Nearly 24 million Afghans require humanitarian assistance due to food shortages, displacement, and the aftermath of natural disasters. Despite these challenges, Fu acknowledged the efforts of Afghanistan’s interim government to promote economic reconstruction and regional cooperation in areas such as trade and investment.

Khalid Taimur Akram, executive director of the Pakistan Research Center for a Community with Shared Future, underscored the global community’s responsibility to support Afghanistan. He emphasized that unfreezing assets and lifting sanctions are both moral imperatives and strategic necessities for fostering peace and development in the region.

China’s continued advocacy for unfreezing Afghanistan’s overseas assets reflects its broader commitment to regional stability and humanitarian aid. By urging an end to unilateral sanctions and encouraging international cooperation, China is positioning itself as a key player in supporting Afghanistan’s peaceful reconstruction. These measures, analysts agree, are essential not only for Afghanistan’s recovery but also for promoting long-term peace and stability across the region.