December 9, 2020, Vice Foreign Minister Luo Zhaohui presided over the “China-Afghanistan-Five Central Asian Countries (CA5)” Vice Foreign Minister-level Video Conference on Trade and Interconnection.
Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Nabu, Kazakhstan Deputy Foreign Minister Sydkov, Kyrgyzstan Deputy Foreign Minister Madmarov, Tajikistan Deputy Foreign Minister Husay Inzoda, Uzbekistan Deputy Foreign Minister Sidykov and Turkmenistan Deputy Foreign Minister Khajiev attended.
Luo Zhaohui said that the current century-old changes and the century-old epidemic are intertwined, the global economy has fallen into a downturn, and regional countries are facing common challenges.
Through its own efforts and the support of the international community, China is at the forefront in fighting the epidemic and restoring the economy. Against this background, CA5 held a video conference at the level of deputy foreign minister of trade and interconnection cooperation to build a new platform for regional cooperation, which is of positive significance for promoting regional economic recovery and maintaining regional stability and prosperity. China has four cooperation initiatives:
First, deepen the cooperation against the epidemic in version 2.0. China is willing to carry out vaccine cooperation with all parties to fulfill its promise to be a global public product after the vaccine is developed and put into use.
Strengthen the exchange of experience in epidemic prevention and importation, reduce the impact of the epidemic on the people’s livelihood of various countries, and carry out cooperation on poverty reduction and food security. We oppose the politicization and labeling of the epidemic, firmly support the World Health Organization to play a key leading role in the global fight against the epidemic, and promote the construction of a human health community.
Second, expand economic and trade cooperation. All parties should promote the resumption of work and production in a safe and orderly manner, implement “fast channel” and “green channel”, expand regional trade, and increase port logistics exchanges.
We will further strengthen cooperation in agriculture, energy, infrastructure, production capacity and other fields to improve the level of industrialization. China is willing to give full play to the advantages of digital technology and scale and build a “digital silk road” with all parties.
Third, promote the construction of interconnection. China is willing to continue to promote the connection between the Belt and Road Initiative and the development strategies of various countries, strengthen the “hard connection” of railway, highway, aviation, pipeline and other infrastructure, and promote the “soft connection” of transportation facilitation.
We will support the extension of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor to Afghanistan and realize the coordinated development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and the China-Central Asia-West Asia Corridor.
Fourth, deepen anti-terrorism and security cooperation. China is willing to work with the international community to crack down on all terrorist organizations, including the East Iran Movement, and safeguard the achievements of international counter-terrorism.
Support the peace process of “Arab-led and Afghan-owned”, welcome the progress of the Arab internal negotiations, and welcome the stability of the situation in Afghanistan.
All parties at the meeting spoke highly of China’s initiative and successfully held the meeting, which set up a new platform for regional countries to exchange experiences and deepen cooperation.
All parties expressed their willingness to continue to deepen anti-epidemic cooperation, carry out regular exchange of anti-epidemic experience, and safeguard the right of all countries to use vaccines on an equal footing.
Strengthen economic and trade cooperation, reduce regional tariffs, reduce trade barriers, stimulate investment, maintain regional food security, establish a new cooperation model to adapt to the epidemic situation, and explore new economic growth points.
Take measures to fully release the potential of regional interconnection, ensure the smooth transportation of goods, and maintain the stability of the supply chain of the regional industrial chain.
Call on all parties to strengthen counter-terrorism cooperation, jointly combat transnational criminal activities such as combating extremism and drug trafficking, and maintain regional security and stability. Support the reconciliation process in Afghanistan and promote the extension of the regional connectivity project to Afghanistan to provide more support for the peaceful reconstruction of Afghanistan.
The parties agreed to continue to hold follow-up meetings and explore the establishment of a mechanism for the implementation of results.
