President Xi and President Draghi. Source: affaritaliani.it
On September 7, 2021 the Italian government President, Mario Draghi, had a telephone conversation with the President of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping. As stated in the press release of the Italian government, “They mainly discussed the recent developments of the Afghan crisis and the possible areas of international cooperation to manage it, including the G20. Prime Minister Draghi and President Xi also discussed the collaboration between Italy and China in view of the Rome Summit, as well as at bilateral level ”.
Chinese media, including Xinhua, reported that President Xi Jinping urged strengthening bilateral cooperation to ensure the success of the 2022 China-Italy Year of Culture and Tourism and the Beijing 2022 and Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. President Xi also stressed that China appreciates and supports the Italian presidency of the G20, particularly with regard to promoting multilateral cooperation in public health and the global economy. While, Italian Government President Draghi said Italy attaches great importance to the global strategic partnership with China, thanks China's support for its G20 presidency and appreciates China's efforts to combat global climate change.
On the issue of managing the Afghan crisis, Italy is promoting the convening of an extraordinary G20, which also involves China and Russia.
On September 7, 2021 Ansa reported the announcement of the Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry not to take part in the ministerial meeting on Afghanistan.
China has not yet expressed itself on the matter and continues to dialogue with Western leaders. On September 9, 2021, President Xi Jinping and American President Joe Biden had a telephone conversation. The White House said that "the two leaders discussed the responsibility of both nations to ensure that competition does not turn into conflict."
In August 2021, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin stated that China intends to respect the sovereign independence and territorial integrity of Afghanistan and pursue a policy of non-interference in Afghanistan's internal affairs, while continuing to develop good-neighborly, friendly and cooperative relations with Afghanistan and to play a constructive role in the peace and reconstruction of the country.
On September 9, 2021, the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in a restricted meeting with the foreign ministers of the countries bordering Afghanistan (including Pakistan, Iran, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan) announced that he had offered 31 million dollars in aid and anti-covid vaccines, to Afghanistan.
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