Zabihullah Mujahid, who is a spokesman for the Taliban, told an Italian newspaper that the Taliban would rely on financing from China following the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan and the takeover of the country.

In his interview quoted from the KompasTV youtube channel, on Thursday, September 2^nd, 2021, Mujahid said that China would provide support to the Taliban in their struggle to revive the economy, in this case by providing financial assistance.

The Taliban took control of Kabul on August 15^th amid a worrying and widespread economy and famine. In addition, in recent weeks, Western countries have severely restricted their aid payments to Afghanistan due to the chaotic departure of foreign troops from Kabul airport.

He said the New Silk Road, an infrastructure initiative in collaboration with China, was highly valued by the Taliban. “There are rich copper mines in this country. Thanks to China it can be re-operated and modernized. In addition, China is our access to markets around the world," he said.

“China is our most important partner because China is ready to invest and rebuild our country,” Mujahid was quoted as saying in the interview.

Right now Afghanistan is in dire need of money. The Taliban are unlikely to gain instant access to about $10 billion in assets held mostly overseas by Afghanistan's central bank.

Thus, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed concern at the deepening humanitarian and economic crisis in the country, adding that basic services were in danger of collapsing "completely".

Gutters warned of a looming "humanitarian catastrophe" in Afghanistan and urged countries to provide emergency funds as severe drought and war have forced thousands of families to flee their homes.

Mujahid confirmed that women would be allowed to continue their studies at universities. He also said that women could work as nurses in the police force, or as assistants in the ministry. However, they ruled out that there would be a female minister.

"Now Afghanistan's children, girls and boys need the support and solidarity of the international community", he said while appealing to several countries for help.

 “I urge all member states to dig deep for the Afghan people in their darkest hour of need. I urge them to provide timely, flexible and comprehensive funding," said the UN Secretary-General.

"The current $1.3 billion United Nations Humanitarian Council for Afghanistan only funds 39 percent," said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

Source:

Taliban: China adalah Negara yang Sangat Penting dan Kuat. (2021, September 2). YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqMliUJYlYI

Firmansyah, T. (2021, September 3). Taliban Andalkan Dana dari China untuk Bangkitkan Ekonomi. Republika Online. https://www.republika.co.id/berita/qyu0tl377/taliban-andalkan-dana-dari-china-untuk-bangkitkan-ekonomi

Rahayu, L. S. (2021, September 1). Sekjen PBB: Bencana Kemanusiaan Membayangi Afghanistan! detiknews. https://news.detik.com/internasional/d-5704593/sekjen-pbb-bencana-kemanusiaan-membayangi-afghanistan