1 of 3 China’s President Xi Jinping and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi walk during a welcoming ceremony in Beijing Feb. 14, 2023 — Photo: Yan Yan/Xinhua via AP Chinese President Xi Jinping and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi walk during a welcoming ceremony in Beijing on Feb. 14, 2023 — Photo: Yan Yan/Xinhua via AP
China and Iran called on neighboring Afghanistan to end restrictions on women’s work and education in a joint statement released Thursday.
The announcement came at the end of a visit by Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi to Beijing, during which both sides demonstrated economic and political proximity and confirmed the rejection according to the western standard of human rights and democracy.
Since taking over Afghanistan in August 2021, the Taliban have banned Women and girls from attending universities and schools after sixth grade and forced women out Elected offices and other prominent offices.
“Both sides called on Afghan rulers to form an inclusive government in which all ethnic and political groups effectively participate, and to lift all discriminatory measures against women, ethnic minorities and other religions,” the statement said.
The document adds that the United States and its NATO allies “have to be responsible on the current situation in Afghanistan”.
The US backed Afghanistan’s elected government against the Taliban, but backed out in the face of rising costs and dwindling support for a government unable to combat a Taliban resurgence.
Protests against femicide in Iran
2 of 3 Mahsa Amini’s death sparked a wave of women’s protests rarely seen in Iran — Photo: GETTY IMAGES/via BBC Mahsa Amini’s death sparked a wave of women’s protests rarely seen in Iran — Photo: GETTY IMAGES/via BBC
The appeal to women’s rights is notable as she hails from Iran’s Shia Muslim regime, which has been challenged by months of protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini, a young woman arrested for allegedly not covering her hair.
The country’s theocracy has executed at least four men since demonstrations began in September over the death of Mahsa Amini. All faced internationally criticized, fast trials behind closed doors.
Political ties against the West
Most of the joint statements between China and Iran emphasized strong political and economic ties, the pursuit of peace and justice in the Middle East, and denuclearization, despite Iran’s alleged push to produce nuclear weapons.
In a previous meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Raisi expressed his support suppression of democracy in Hong Kong and Taiwan’s demand for democratic selfgovernment.
China and Iran present themselves alongside Moscow as Counterbalances to American poweroe provided tacit and, in the case of Iran, material support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“China supports Iran in upholding national sovereignty” and “resisting unilateralism and bullying,” Xi said in a statement on Chinese state television on its website.
Xi and Raisi participated in signing 20 cooperation agreements, including trade and tourism agreements, the Chinese government said. This comes on top of a 25year strategic agreement signed in 2021 to work together to develop oil, industry and other areas.
China is one of the largest buyers of Iranian oil and a major source of investment.
Iran has struggled for years with trade and financial sanctions imposed by Washington and other Western governments. The US blocked Iran’s access to the network connecting global banks in 2018.
3 out of 3 Afghan women learn to read the Koran at a religious school in Kabul, Afghanistan on October 8, 2022 — Photo: Portal/Ali Khara Afghan women learn to read the Koran at a religious school in Kabul, Afghanistan on October 8, 2022 — Photo: Portal/Ali Khara