Chinese Diplomats Arrive in Kabul

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, December 20, 2001

Chinese Diplomats Arrive in Kabul

A group of Chinese diplomats, led by senior official Zhang Min, on Wednesday arrived at Bagram air base, about 50 kilometers north of the Afghan capital of Kabul. They are scheduled to inspect the Chinese embassy in Kabul and take part in the power-transfer ceremony on December 22. Chinese diplomats will hold a flag raising ceremony and replace the old national flag.

Zhang Min told the journalist that they are scheduled to inspect the Chinese embassy in Kabul and take part in the power-transfer ceremony on December 22, during which Northern Alliance chief Burhanuddin Rabbani will hand over the power to the head of the interim government Hamid Karzai.

"China closed its embassy in Kabul in 1993 for security reasons, and this time, we are planning to inspect our embassy buildings and try to resume our diplomatic mission at proper time," Zhang said.

"We will also hold a flag raising ceremony and replace the old national flag which has been flaunting there for more than eight years," he said.

Replying to a question on post-war reconstruction of Afghanistan, Zhang said China deeply sympathizes with the Afghan people in their sufferings and will try its best to take an active part in the reconstruction of Afghanistan as well as continue to provide humanitarian aid to Afghan refugees.

China Envoys Visits Kabul, Mull Resuming Embassy

The team of six Chinese diplomats left China on December 14 for Afghanistan's war ravaged capital of Kabul to prepare for the possible reopening of its embassy there for the first time since 1993.

Headed by a Foreign Ministry official Zhang Min, the team will inspect the conditions of the embassy building in Kabul and contact relevant sides.

According to Chinese FM spokesperson, the timing of resuming the embassy depends on when peace accord can be achieved and when the new government of Afghanistan can take over the power.

US Held Flag Raising Ceremony

The U.S. and Marine Corps Monday raised flag in the US embassy in Kabul . It is the first time for the United States to hold flag raising ceremony in its embassy since 1989.

Besides, Turkey reopened its embassy in Afghanistan on December 17, becoming the first country that opened its embassy after Taliban regime fell from power.

China Envoys to Visit Kabul, Mull Resuming Embassy

China to Resume Embassy Work in Afghanistan