The Taliban movement that came to power in Afghanistan regards China as its main international partner, said a spokesman for the movement Zabiullah Mujahid, Interfax reported.

 “China is our main partner, it represents a fundamental and exceptional opportunity for us, because it is ready to invest in our country and reconstruct it,” he said in an interview with the Italian newspaper La Repubblica.

 The Mujahid praised Beijing's  Belt and Road Initiative, noted that it «will serve to revive the ancient Silk Road.»  He also expressed the hope that China would help rebuild the mining industry in Afghanistan.

 He stressed, «China is our gateway to markets around the world».

 On the eve of the PRC Foreign Ministry reported that the assistant to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, Wu Jianghao, had a telephone conversation with the deputy director of the Political Office of the Afghan Taliban in Qatar, Abdula Salam Hanafi.  Wu Jianghao said that the situation in Afghanistan has undergone fundamental changes and «the future of Afghanistan is once again in the hands of the Afghan people».

 The Chinese diplomat noted that Beijing has always respected the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Afghanistan and pursued a friendly policy towards the entire Afghan people.  He expressed the hope that Afghanistan «will achieve peace and stability as soon as possible and restore a wonderful country».

 Hanafi said that the Afghan authorities support and are ready to cooperate in the framework of China's  Belt and Road Initiative, which «contributes to the development and prosperity of Afghanistan and the region».