China welcomes progress in Russia-Afghan interim government ties: FM

China welcomes the latest developments in relations between Russia and the Afghan interim government, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a press briefing on Friday.

Mao's remarks were made in response to a media inquiry about Russia's formal recognition of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, which is ruled by the Taliban.

According to Russia's Tass News Agency, Moscow has formally recognized the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday.

As a traditionally friendly neighbor of Afghanistan, China believes the country should not be excluded from the international community, Mao said.

China supports the international community in strengthening engagement and dialogue with the Afghan interim government, encourages it to actively respond to international concerns, and jointly assists in Afghanistan's reconstruction and development, supports its fight against terrorist forces, and contributes positively to regional peace, stability, and prosperity, Mao said.

When asked whether China has similar plans, Mao said that regardless of changes in Afghanistan's internal or external situation, diplomatic relations between China and Afghanistan have never been interrupted.

Since the establishment of the Afghan interim government, the diplomatic missions of the two sides have maintained normal operations in each other's territory, playing a positive role in promoting bilateral relations, the spokesperson said.

She added that China will continue to pursue a friendly policy toward all Afghan people and support exchanges and cooperation across various fields between China and Afghanistan.