China calls for holding U.S. accountable for actions in Afghanistan

U.S. soldiers stand guard as Afghan people wait at Kabul airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, August 16, 2021. /CFP

As of April, an estimated 241,000 people had lost their lives as a direct result of the two-decade war in Afghanistan, including tens of thousands of civilians, according to the Costs of War Project run by the Watson Institute of Brown University.

Last year, Australia's Chief of the Defense Force General Angus Campbell said there was credible evidence that his special forces

unlawfully killed at least 39 Afghan civilians and prisoners

.

"It has been proven again that power politics and military means lead nowhere, which will only undermine regional security and stability and violate the human rights of local people," Chen said.

The ambassador said China respects the will and choice of the Afghan people and the country's sovereign independence and territorial integrity. China will never interfere in Afghanistan's internal affairs and will always pursue a friendly policy toward all Afghans, he stressed.

The most urgent task for Afghanistan is to restore peace, stability and order, Chen said. He called on the Taliban to follow through its positive remarks on forming an open and inclusive government and protecting women's rights. He also urged the group to adopt "moderate and prudent" domestic and foreign policies and curb all kinds of terrorist and criminal acts.