More Chinese food aid bound for distressed Afghanistan

A train loaded with wheat sugar and cooking oil on its way and another delivery will follow, Chinese ambassador says
More than 23 million people do not have enough food, according to some estimates

Afghanistan

Catherine Wong

Published: 9:19pm, 1 Feb 2022

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China has sent a new batch of food supplies to Afghanistan as the country struggles with an economic and humanitarian crisis.

China’s ambassador to Kabul Wang Yu said on Twitter on Sunday that a train loaded with 500 tonnes of wheat, sugar, cooking oil and potato processing equipment had left Xinjiang, and another train carrying wheat would leave early this month.

Earlier, China trucked in 848 tonnes of rice and wheat to southern Kandahar and Helmand provinces and the Western Farah and Ghar provinces, state news agency Xinhua reported.

Trucks in Kabul prepare to deliver Chinese aid to four provinces on Saturday. Photo: Xinhua

Diplomatic observers said the aid would help build ties with the Taliban.

The Taliban, which seized power in August following the withdrawal of American troops, is facing a series of challenges in rebuilding the country.

The winter has intensified the crisis, with reports that nearly 23 million people do not have enough food. The United States has also frozen around US$9 billion in Afghan assets.

This week, China sent a second batch of winter supplies, including 70,000 blankets and more than 40,000 down coats.

Chinese and Afghan officials also announced a project to build a mosque and two wells in Kabul.

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In September, Beijing announced it would donate 200 million yuan (US$31 million) in aid, including food and coronavirus vaccines. In November China also agreed a deal to import pine nuts, one of the country’s most important crops.

Beijing has not officially recognised the Taliban government and has said it will not be the first to do so, but it is stepping up its engagement with the group.

The Taliban has also held talks with senior US and European officials in the Norwegian capital Oslo in the last week.