China responds to US interest in reoccupying Afghan air base, urges regional stability

China on Friday urged all parties to prioritize regional stability in Afghanistan after U.S. President Donald Trump expressed interest in reoccupying the Afghan Bagram Air Base, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a press briefing in Beijing.

"China respects Afghanistan's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. The future of Afghanistan should be firmly in the hands of the Afghan people. I want to stress that stoking tension and creating confrontation in the region is unpopular. We hope all parties will play a constructive role in promoting regional peace and stability," Lin said.

Located approximately 50 kilometers north of the Afghan capital Kabul, Bagram Air Base served as a central hub for U.S. and NATO military operations in Afghanistan for nearly two decades. Following the full withdrawal of American and allied troops in August 2021, the facility, like other international military installations, was left under Afghan control.

China responds to US interest in reoccupying Afghan air base, urges regional stability

China responds to US interest in reoccupying Afghan air base, urges regional stability

Li Hongzhong, vice chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, met with the European Parliament's delegation for relations with China led by chair Engin Eroglu in Beijing on Wednesday.

Li, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that China is willing to work with the European Union (EU) to strengthen communication, enhance mutual trust, deepen cooperation, and pursue mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.

He said China stands ready to join hands with the EU to address global challenges, promote exchanges and cooperation among legislative bodies, effectively utilize communication mechanisms, and advance the sound and stable development of China-EU relations.

Eroglu said the EU stands ready to work with China to contribute to the development of EU-China relations.

Senior Chinese legislator meets European Parliament delegation