អ៊ីរ៉ង់និងចិនប្តេជ្ញាកិច្ចសហប្រតិបត្តិការសន្តិសុខក្នុងតំបន់បន្ទាប់ពីតាលីបង់កាន់កាប់អាហ្វហ្គានីស្ថាន

- After presidents Ebrahim Raisi and Xi Jinping share phone call, Iran signals willingness to work with China on stability in Afghanistan, which borders both

- Beijing does not specify Afghanistan issue but says it will work with Tehran on common interests and regional security

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said his country was ready to work with China on the Afghanistan issue. Photo: TNS

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said Tehran was ready to work with China on “establishing security, stability and peace” in Afghanistan amid lingering concerns of regional spillover from the war-torn country.

In Raisi’s first telephone call with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping since taking office, the two nations spoke of boosting cooperation, with Xi backing Iran in nuclear negotiations and emphasising China’s determination to develop ties between the two.

As the Taliban took power in Kabul after 20 years of conflict, the new Iranian president said his country shared “common interests and demands” with China on Afghanistan and was “ready to strengthen coordination and cooperation”, according to a statement by Raisi’s office.

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“The president stated that the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to cooperate with China in establishing security, stability and peace in Afghanistan and contributing to development, progress and prosperity for the people of the country,” it said.

A statement by China’s foreign ministry did not specify the two leaders’ discussion over Afghanistan, but quoted Xi as saying that Beijing was willing to enhance coordination and cooperation with Tehran “on regional affairs to safeguard common interests and promote regional security and stability”. Afghanistan shares borders with China and Iran.

The Taliban on Thursday declared the establishment of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, cementing the formal end of the US-backed Afghan government. But skirmishes continued on Thursday as several people were killed in the city of Asadabad when Taliban fighters fired on people who were protesting against the Taliban takeover.

Beijing has called repeatedly for the Taliban to establish a moderate government and curb terrorism on Afghan soil, but some Chinese observers are sceptical over whether the Taliban will keep its assurances.

One of Afghanistan’s most powerful neighbours, Iran has cheered the Taliban’s swift and bloody advance to seize power in Afghanistan after US President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw US troops.

The US’ expected withdrawal from Iraq and Syria is also seen as strengthening the hand of Tehran. But the Islamic nation faces the headache, along with other countries in the region, of a potential wave of refugees that could threaten security.

Xi said during the phone call that Beijing “firmly supports Iran in defending its national sovereignty and dignity, and opposing foreign intervention”, and reiterated China’s support for Iran’s demands concerning the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on the Iranian nuclear issue.

Under Raisi, Iran has said that it still seeks to re-enter a deal that would curb its atomic programme in exchange for relief to the regime’s troubled economy, crippled by US sanctions.

Raisi thanked China “for its cooperation with Iran in various international fields, including support for nuclear rights, Iran’s membership in the Shanghai Pact, and opposition to sanctions against Iran”, the Iranian statement said.

In a separate phone call with Iraq President Barham Salih on Wednesday, Xi said China was willing to continue to support Iraq on Covid-19 containment and economic rebuilding, and to expand cooperation in fields such as energy and transport. Xi pointed out that Iraq was one of the first Arab countries to establish diplomatic relations with Beijing and was an important partner for China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

SCMP