BEIJING, July 29 -- The US is the initiator of the Afghan issue and bears an inescapable responsibility for the current situation in Afghanistan, Senior Colonel Wu Qian, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, remarked at a regular press conference on Thursday when responding to a question on the security turbulence in Afghanistan caused by the complete withdrawal of the US troops.
Snr. Col. Wu said that since the US announced its withdrawal from Afghanistan, the security situation in Afghanistan has continued to deteriorate. He indicated that facts have proven that the US is the world’s largest mess maker and a world-renowned "blame-shifter".
As the initiator of the Afghan issue, the US should earnestly shoulder due responsibilities to ensure a smooth transition in Afghanistan and avoid chaos and wars caused by the withdrawal, Wu added.
He also pointed out that China and Afghanistan are traditional friendly neighbors, and clearly stated that during the phone conversation with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on July 16, Chinese President Xi Jinping had stressed that China firmly supports the Afghan government in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and will continue to support the "Afghan-led and Afghan-owned" principle, the peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan, and an early peaceful reconstruction of Afghanistan.
