The Taliban on Wednesday hailed China’s new ambassador to Afghanistan with fanfare, saying his arrival is a sign for other nations to come forward and establish relations with them.

The Taliban seized power in August 2021 as US and Nato forces withdrew after two decades of war. Their leaders are under sanctions and no country recognises them as Afghanistan’s legitimate rulers. The country’s seat at the UN is still held by the former western-backed government that was led by Ashraf Ghani.

Only a handful of nations have working diplomatic missions in Afghanistan, including China, the world’s second-largest economy.

The two sides have been open about their desire for closer ties, especially commercial ones.

Ambassador Zhao Sheng was greeted by uniformed troops and met top-ranking Taliban officials.

AP/PTI