According to China’s state-run Global Times, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated that Afghanistan’s future should be determined by its own people. He said, “China respects Afghanistan’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and that the country’s future should be decided by the Afghan people.” Lin Jian added that “hyping up tensions and creating confrontation in the region runs counter to people’s aspirations,” and expressed hope that all parties will play a constructive role in promoting regional peace and stability.
New Title: Trump’s Bid to Reacquire Bagram Air Base and Taliban’s Rejection
On Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump said that his administration is attempting to secure the return of the Bagram air base from the Taliban. The details of these previously secretive negotiations remained scarce. Trump said his motivation for trying to reacquire the facility is its proximity to a nearby site where China produces nuclear weapons, and he lamented that U.S. control over Bagram was not maintained during the American withdrawal under former President Joe Biden.
In response, Zakir Jalaly, a Taliban official, said on X that Afghans have historically not accepted a military presence, and the return of Bagram air base was rejected during the Doha talks and agreement. Jalaly added that Washington needs to interact with Afghanistan, and both countries have economic and political relations based on mutual respect and shared interests, regardless of whether the U.S. has a military presence in any part of Afghanistan.
