In a significant development on the global diplomatic front, China has taken the historic step of formally appointing a new ambassador to Afghanistan following the Taliban's takeover, becoming the first country to do so.
Chinese ambassador Zhao Xing presented his credentials to the interim Afghan government during a ceremonial event in Kabul.
It is noteworthy that the Afghan Taliban have not yet been officially recognized as a government from any foreign country. China's decision to appoint an ambassador also did not explicitly signal any broader steps toward endorsing the Taliban as a legitimate governing body.
"This is the normal rotation of China's ambassador to Afghanistan, and is intended to continue advancing dialogue and cooperation between China and Afghanistan," China's foreign ministry said in a statement, as reported by Reuters. "China's policy towards Afghanistan is clear and consistent."
A spokesperson from the Taliban administration’s foreign ministry confirmed to Reuters that Zhao Xing's appointment marks the first instance of an ambassador from any nation assuming the post since August 2021 when the Taliban seized control as US-led foreign forces withdrew after a 20-year presence in Afghanistan.
The credentials presented by Zhao Xing were accepted by Mohammad Hassan Akhund, the acting prime minister within the Taliban administration. This was further affirmed by Bilal Karimi, the deputy spokesperson for the Taliban administration, through an official statement.
Photographs of the ceremony held at Afghanistan's presidential palace on Wednesday were released by the Taliban administration's spokesperson office. The images showed the new ambassador being received by notable officials, including the acting foreign and prime ministers.
China's last ambassador to Afghanistan, Wang Yu, had assumed the role in 2019 and completed his tenure just last month. It is important to note that there are other diplomats in Kabul holding the title of ambassador, but all of them assumed their positions prior to the Taliban's rise to power.
