Chronicle of events in the fifty years history since the establishment of the diplomatic relations between Afghanistan and China
The diplomatic relations between Afghanistan and China formed fifty-five years ago, but the relationship between the two people of nations found at the beginning of the history.
On October, 1st 1949, the People’s Republic of China was founded, and Afghanistan recognized this new State on May, 13th 1950, which made it one of the first nations that officially recognized the People’s Republic of China.
Afghanistan and China participated in the historic Bandung Conference.
Later, on January 20th 1955, diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level were established between Afghanistan and China.
In November 1955, His Excellency Abdulsamad Khan, the first Afghan Ambassador to China, and Mr. Ding Guo-yu, presented their letters of Credence respectively to heads of the two states.
Friendship and understanding between the nations of two countries have the depth of ties as their history. Caravans were going to and coming from China passed the Silk Road in Afghanistan.
The old narratives and traces of people, has stories from the beauty, greatness, and brilliant civilization of China.
The Chinese tourists in the last centuries have traveled to Afghanistan and had stories about their civilization.
Mr. Fahson and the Famous Chinese tourist, Mr. Hoan Tsang is the best examples in this regard.
More importantly, 2000 years ago, the closer relations between two countries in respect to political, cultural and commercial established, reasoned important attached to this great Civilization of China that found ways through both countries to other parts of the world.
Ambassadors were exchanged to the kingdom of Great Kanashka, the emperor of Afghanistan to the kingdom of “HAN” dynasty and Chinese Ambassadors to the kingdom of Kanashka at that time.
During the past two centuries, during the games of the big clouds of political powers between the three super powers France, United Kingdom and Russia Tsars kingdom in Afghanistan and also during the Cold War, and after the establishment of the interim government, Afghanistan has had distinct relations with China.
It should be noted, this level of relationship with the governments coming to power in Afghanistan, also were different. Governments of Afghanistan in different period have paid more attention in improving their relations with China.
On the other hand, both countries witnessed goodwill relations and friendship cooperation that ultimately ‘borders of Afghanistan and China can be called the borders of friendship and intimacy’.
However, during the past fifty-five years, Afghanistan has experienced enormous ups-and-downs. Invasion of the former Soviet Union, Civil Wars, oppressive and mirthless rule of the Taliban and direct and indirect interventions by some of the neighboring countries, generated countless sufferings faced by the people of Afghanistan.
However, in all these years, the People’s Republic of China as a good neighbor and historic friend, was along with Afghanistan and has supported the people of Afghanistan in all aspects.
In addition, after the collapse of the Taliban regime and the establishment of the interim government, relations between Afghanistan and People’s Republic of China were restored firmly.
Since then, People’s Republic of China assisted 180m USD in different areas and sectors for reconstruction of Afghanistan.
Based on this historical experience and gratis friendly assistance and cultural closures, Afghanistan attaches utmost importance to the friendly relations of its neighboring country (People’s Republic of China).
Chinese ministry of Foreign Affairs to date conducted several short-training programs for employees of the Afghanistan ministry of Foreign Affairs, hence these training programs attach great interest and importance the goodwill relations of both countries.
Notwithstanding, signing the treaty of friendship and good-neighborhood between the leaders of the two countries in 2006, and its approval by parliaments of two nations turned a new page in the history of our relations.
Likewise many other treaties, memorandum of understanding, agreements, protocols and other official documents were signed.
China turned to be the biggest investor with almost $4b USD in cooper mines of Afghanistan as well as tens of Chinese enterprises working in rebuilding the infrastructure of the country.
The chronologies are as follows:
- In 130 BC, the first ambassador of the Han Dynasty was sent to Yuchi empires to Northern kingdom of Afghanistan;
- In 92 A.D, the famous and historic Silk Road opened;
- In 150 A.D, Ambassadors were exchanged to the kingdom of Great Kanashka, the emperor of Afghanistan to the kingdom of “HAN” dynasty and Chinese Ambassadors to the kingdom of Kanashka at that time;
- In 618 A.D, “Aan Chi Tao” from Tang dynasty to kingdom of Kapisa traveled to Bagram at that time;
- In 631 A.D, “Shuang Chang” China’s famous traveler went to Afghanistan, crossed Kapisa, Ghazni and Badakhshan and wrote his memoirs;
- In the year 1405, Meng dynasty emperor, leading the team of 150 to visit the kingdome of King ShahRukh Mirza of Afghanistan;
- In 1411 A.D, Malai from kingdom of Meng visited King Sharukh Mirza in Herat province of Afghanistan;
- In the year 1762, Ahmad Shah Durranai sent his special envoy to kingdom of emperor Cheng dynasty;
- In the year 1865 Ameer Shah Ali Khan as representative sent to China and handsel a horse;
- In the year 1922 Mohammad Sharif Khan appointed as first consoler of Afghanistan in Kashgar, China;
- In the year 1944, convention of friendship between China and Afghanistan signed;
- People’s Republic of China on October 1949, established. Afghanistan was the first country among the other countries on 13th of January, 1950 recognized officially the People’s Republic of China;
- In 20th of January, 1955 the political relations established by exchange of Ambassadors between the two countries;
- In July 1956, the first trade agreement between both countries, signed;
- In January 1957, “Chun Lai” the first President of People’s Republic of China officially visited Afghanistan;
- In October 1957, Sardar Mohammad Daud Khan the first President of Afghanistan officially visited People’s Republic of China;
- In 26th of August, 1960 Convention of friendship and mutual non-aggression between both countries signed;
- In September 1963, China-Afghanistan Friendship Association Chaired by Sardar Sultan Mahmood Ghazi, established;
- In 22nd of November, 1963 Convention frontier between the two countries signed in Beijing;
- In November 1964, His Majesty Mohammad Zahir Shah, King of Afghanistan officially visited People’s Republic of China;
- In 24th of March, 1965 Technical cooperation agreement signed between the two countries and the amount of ten million loans was given to Afghanistan;
- In 1960s and 1970s, Afghanistan supported the membership of People’s Republic of China in the convention of United Nations and in this date, agreement of cultural cooperation between both countries, signed;
- In April 1972, agreement of technical cooperation between both countries signed and 55m USD loans was given to Afghanistan;
- In July 1972, agreement Civil air aviation between both countries, signed;
- In 22nd of December, 2002 Kabul Declaration about the good neighborhood relations, that all neighboring countries participated including China, was shared;
- In 26th of May, 2003 H.E. Prof. Naimatullah Shahrani, Vice-president in a senior level representative, officially visited People’s Republic of China;
- In February 2004, Kabul Declaration about Drugs control and trafficking, that all neighboring countries participated including China, was shared;
- In 30th of March, 2004 H.E. Hazrat Sebghatullah Mujadedi officially visited People’s Republic of China;
- In 12th of October, 2004 H.E. Sayed Makhdom Raheen Minister of Information and Culture officially visited People’s Republic of China;
- In 18th of January, 2005 anniversary of the established 55 years of diplomatic relations between China and Afghanistan;
- In 18th of January, 2005 H.E. Karim Khalili Vice-president officially visited People’s Republic of China;
- On 15th of June, 2006 H.E. Hamid Karzai, President of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in an official invitation of H.E. Hu Jintao President of People’s Republic of China participated in the SCO Shanghai Cooperation Organization;
- On 19th of June, 2006 the treaty of Friendship, cooperation and good-neighborhood signed between Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and People’s Republic of China;
- On 19th of June, 2006 the protocol on Institutionalizing Consultation between the officials of Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and People’s Republic of China signed in Beijing;
- On 19th of June, 2006 agreement on economic and trade cooperation between Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and People’s Republic of China signed in Beijing;
- On 19th of June, 2006 agreement between the institutions with the support to investment of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and People’s Republic of China signed in Beijing;
- On 19th of June, 2006 air service agreement between the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and People’s Republic of China signed in Beijing;
- On 19th of June, 2006 memorandum of understanding between ministry of Information, Cultural and Tourism of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and Bureau of Culture, People’s Republic of China about cooperation in the field of cultural heritage preservation and maintenance signed in Beijing;
- On 26th of October, 2006 H.E. Minister of National Defense of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan headed with other military delegation through Urumqi, visited Beijing and on 31st of October, 2006 agreement and protocol on military grants assistance between Ministry of National Defense of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and Ministry of National Defense of People’s Republic of China signed in Beijing;
- On October 2006 Afghanistan supported China’s nomination in the human rights councils of United Nations;
- On 8th of November, 2006 in an official request of Chinese government, Afghanistan as the electoral board members related to the United Nations World Health Organization, supported the nomination of Ms. Margritt Chin (Hong Kong national), as a result, for the first time in a global organization, China’s representative elected as the President of the organization;
- On 17th of January, 2007 H.E. Hazrat Sebghatullah Mujadidi Chairman of the Senate, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan accompanied by other senior delegation of the senate in an official invitation, visited People’s Republic of China;
- On August 2007, H.E. Dr. Rangeen Dadfar Spanta, accompanied by the other senior delegation, Ministry of Foreign affairs of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in an official invitation visited People’s Republic of China and signed two agreements between Center for Strategic Studies of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Institute of Contemporary International Relation and Institute of International Studies of People’s Republic of China. In sideline to this, another agreement signed on health cooperation with Ministry of Health, People’s Republic of China;
- On November 2007, General Bismillah Khan, Chief of General staff, Ministry of National Defense of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in an official invitation visited China and signed the agreement of grants assistance of Liberation Army, People’s Republic of China to Afghanistan National Army;
- On January 2008, H.E. Abdul Jabar Sabit, Attorney General of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in an official invitation visited China and signed the agreement of cooperation between the offices of attorney generals Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and People’s Republic of China;
- On September 2008, H.E. Dr. Mohammad Amin Farhang, Minister of Commerce and Industries Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in an official invitation participated in the councils Ministers of commerce and industries, Shanghai Cooperation Organization and addressed his thoughtful speech;
- On October 2008, H.E. Dr. Ahmad Mushahid, Chairman of the Independent Administrative Reform and Civil Service Commission of Afghanistan in an official invitation visited People’s Republic of China;
- On March 2009, H.E. Mohammad Rahim Adil, Minister of Mines Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in an official invitation visited China and signed the memorandum of understanding on cooperation of natural resources (mines) of both countries;
- On June 2009, H.E. Dr. Rangeen Spanta minister of Foreign affairs of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in an official invitation visited China and signed the agreement on commerce and technical cooperation between both countries, agreement signed on cooperation between the institute of diplomacy of ministry of foreign affairs of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and University of International Relations of Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and signed the document on submission of five hundred thousand dollars Chinese assistance for the process of the presidential election of Afghanistan;
- On June 2009, H.E. Mohammad Younis Qanoni Chairman of the Afghanistan Parliament in an official invitation of his counterparts Hu Bango, visited China;
- On October 2009, H.E. Mohammad Karim Khalili, Second Vice President of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in an official invitation of H.E. Wen Jabao, Prime Minister of People’s Republic of China participated in meeting of premiers, Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Beijing;
- On January 19th, 2010 Afghanistan and People’s Republic of China established the Friendship Association between Chinese People’s Association Friendship with Foreign Countries and Afghanistan.
This association will be the turning point for junction cooperation and exchange among different people, including youth, women, scientists, writers, artists and politicians that would enhance opportunity to more background knowledge, understanding and true visage of our countries.
Afghanistan and China has many bilateral and profitable opportunities yet to be discovered and established soon.
As Chinese government promised to focus on Afghanistan firmly and encouraging the Chinese enterprises to invest in Afghanistan’s untouched natural resources and sectors, particularly in cooper, gas, oil, agriculture and livestock and other mining in the country respectively.
The chapters have started and both countries optimistic to existing friendly relations that will expand further as the old roof of the world could not create barriers to prevent the direct relationship and extensive communication between the people of the two nations, further to this, it also put the effort to smooth and restore the way in the near future endlessly.