China and Iran call on Taliban to remove restrictions on women

As the Taliban prohibited girls from attending schools, and universities as well as preventing women from workplaces, the two neighboring countries of Afghanistan called on the Taliban to end restrictions on them.

While blaming the US and its NATO allies for the current situation in Afghanistan, the leaders of China and Iran urged the Taliban to end restrictions on women’s work and education.

The call came in a joint statement following Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s three-day trip to China, where he met with Chinese president Xi Jinping. It was the first visit by a top Iranian leadership to China in the past 20 years.

During the meeting, the two leaders discussed various issues of mutual interests, and they also shed light on the current situation in Afghanistan and said “US and NATO allies should be responsible for the current situation in Afghanistan.”

Afghan schoolgirls

Taliban, who returned to power in August 2021, has then banned women and girls from schools and universities. Girls over sixth grade are not allowed to go to schools and also women are barred from offices and NGOs.

Pushing for inclusive government

During the meeting, Xi and Raisi also called on the Afghan leaders to form an inclusive government in which all ethnic groups and political groups actually participate. The sides also called on Kabul rulers to cancel all discriminatory measures against women, ethnic minorities and other religions, the statement reads.

China and Iran have now made their ways to push for reform in Afghanistan, said an expert on international affairs.

Speaking to Harici, Jawad Ahmadi said that China can play an important role in convincing the Taliban to reopen education for girls.

“China is among few countries in the region that were not involved in the war in Afghanistan by sending troops or weapons. China has always engaged in building infrastructures and humanitarian assistance and that’s why the Taliban might pay attention to Beijing’s call for education and inclusive government,” he said.

The Chinese embassy is also active in Kabul despite security threats, he said, adding that this shows Beijing’s commitment to the Afghan people.

“When other foreign missions left Kabul, it was China who stood beside the Afghans and now when China asks for something, the Taliban must agree on it,” he added.

“China is clearly advocating for two things at the moment – one is education for all, including women and men – second inclusive government and this is the well of all Afghans,” he said.

Mutual cooperation between China and Iran

China and Iran enjoy traditional friendship and bilateral relations have withstood the tests of various international vicissitudes, the joint statement reads.

It furthered that in the face of the complex changes consequential to our world, “our times and history, China and Iran have stood together in mutual support and solidarity and worked jointly to fight COVID-19.”

The statement went on, “consolidating strategic mutual trust, promoted steady progress in practical cooperation and expanded convergence of interests between the two countries, and safeguarded international fairness and justice, writing a new chapter in China-Iran friendship.”

President Xi told Raisi that China always views and develops relations with Iran from a strategic perspective, and no matter how the international and regional situation changes.

“China will remain steadfast in developing friendly cooperation with Iran and advancing China-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership, and play a positive role for world peace and human progress amidst the major changes unseen in a century,” the statement said quoting Xi.

Xi also emphasized that China supports Iran in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national dignity. Beijing also opposed any kind of interference into internal affairs of Iran which is undermining its security and stability.

China works to improve Iran’s economy

President Xi also assured Beijing’s support to help Iran’s economy and import more agricultural products from the country. China also vowed to deepen practical cooperation in fields of trade, agriculture, and industry and infrastructure development.

“China will continue to carry out Belt and Road cooperation with Iran to enhance connectivity and expand cultural and people-to-people exchanges,” according to the statement.

China appreciated Iran’s willingness to actively improve relations with its neighboring countries, and supported countries in the region in resolving conflicts through dialogue, it added.

“Safeguarding stability in the Middle East concerns the well-being of countries and peoples in the region, and is of vital importance for safeguarding world peace, promoting global economic development and ensuring a stable energy supply,” the statement quoted President Xi as saying.

While assuring China’s readiness to play a constructive role in promoting regional peace and stability, Xi said that China is ready to strengthen communication and coordination with Iran on multilateral platforms such as the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), to practice true multilateralism and safeguard the common interests of developing countries.

Raisi looks for more Chinese engagement 

On his part, President Raisi said the time-tested friendship between Iran and China has grown from strength to strength. He called Beijing and Tehran two independent major countries with sincere strategic partners worthy of mutual trust.

“Iran’s commitment to deepening and upgrading the Iran-China comprehensive strategic partnership is unswerving and will not be affected by any changes in the international and regional situation,” Raisi quoted in the statement.

Raisi hoped to work further with China in different areas to deepen practical cooperation in fields of trade and infrastructure development. He also expressed happiness about business invested by the Chinese in Iran and looking forward to more Chinese tourists coming to Iran.

“Iran firmly supports and will actively participate in the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative proposed by China,” Raisi said.