Photo taken on Dec 4, 2021 shows children in Kabul. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Rather than being an attempt to form an anti-United States club, as some have tried to depict, the Third Meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Neighboring Countries of Afghanistan, held in Tunxi, Anhui province, on Wednesday and Thursday, demonstrates the collective will of the region to help the country recover after the precipitous withdrawal of US forces, following the failure of its 20-year intervention in the country.

Presided over by State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the meeting is being attended by acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi of the Afghan interim government, and the foreign ministers or representatives of Pakistan, Iran, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, as well as the foreign ministers of Indonesia and Qatar as invited guests.

It is a sincere hope of all regional countries that they can play their due part in contributing to the peaceful reconstruction of the country that has suffered so much from war and chaos. China hopes the meeting will be a platform to help transform that will into actions that can bring tangible benefits to the people of Afghanistan.

The meeting should also serve to remind the international community that Afghanistan should never become a forgotten corner of the world, and the US' withdrawal from the country should mark the beginning of a new journey for the Afghan people to have control of their own fate again.

There is no doubt that the Afghan issue should remain high on the current international peace and security agenda, and all parties should fulfill their due responsibilities and play a constructive role. According to United Nations agencies, more than half of the Afghan people face a severe food shortage and millions have been displaced. While the interim government in Afghanistan has embarked on rebuilding the country, that endeavor is not being helped by the sanctions the US and other Western countries have imposed on Afghanistan.

China's position on the Afghan issue is clear. It always respects the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Afghanistan and supports the Afghan people in independently deciding the destiny of their country and choosing their development path. China never interferes in Afghanistan's internal affairs and seeks selfish gains or spheres of influence. It is hoped the interim government of Afghanistan can continue to build inclusive and prudent governance, honor its commitments and take more effective measures to combat all terrorist forces.

Given its geopolitical location at the heart of Asia and its unique role in the global anti-terrorism campaign, Afghanistan's stability and development are critical for regional and even world security and stability. Despite the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, the international community should not ignore the situation in Afghanistan and the plight of the Afghan people.