China extends support to Afghanistan to combat all forms of terrorism, violent activities

By Berk Kutay Gokmen

ISTANBUL (AA) - China on Tuesday said it would support Afghanistan in combating “all forms of terrorism and violent activities,” a day after a deadly blast killed at least seven people in the Afghan capital Kabul.

Beijing expressed “deep condolences” for those killed and “heartfelt sympathies” to the injured, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a news conference in Beijing, referring to the explosion.

Seven people, including one Chinese citizen and six Afghans, were killed in the blast at a Chinese restaurant in Kabul on Monday, authorities said.

Kabul police spokesman Khalid Zahran said the explosion occurred at around 3 pm (1030 GMT) near the restaurant in the Shahr-e-Naw area of the capital.

Zahran said the cause of the blast was under investigation.

“China has made an emergency representation with Afghanistan to ask for an all-out effort in treating and rescuing the injured, taking more effective measures to protect the safety and security of Chinese nationals,” Guo said.

Beijing “strongly condemns and firmly opposes any form of terrorism and supports Afghanistan and countries in the region in jointly combating all forms of terrorism and violent activities,” he added.

Citing security concerns, Guo said China has advised its citizens not to travel to Afghanistan in the near future and urged Chinese nationals and companies already in the country to take additional safety precautions.