U.S. should truly draw lessons from failure in Afghanistan: Chinese FM

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang urged here on Thursday the United States to learn lessons from its multifaceted failure in Afghanistan and change course as soon as possible.

Qin made the remarks while he briefed reporters after the second informal meeting held among foreign ministers from China, Russia, Pakistan and Iran. He was asked for comments on an investigative report, released by the White House earlier this month, on the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, which acknowledged a "huge intelligence failure" and blamed the previous administration for the hasty withdrawal.

Qian said that America's failure in Afghanistan is multifaceted. Firstly, military failure, he pointed out, adding that the "conquest" by force did not bring a moment of peace to Afghanistan, and the 20 years of U.S. occupation were 20 years of conflict and turmoil in Afghanistan.

Secondly, political failure, he noted, adding that the "democratic transformation" imposed by the United States and the West was only counterproductive, and the issue of national reconciliation in Afghanistan has been delayed so far.

Thirdly, failure in fighting terrorism, Qin said, adding that the more the United States fought terrorism, the more rampant terrorism grew in Afghanistan, as the number of terrorist groups in the country has increased from single digits two decades ago to more than 20 nowadays, leaving a huge "security black hole."

Qin stressed that military withdrawal does not mean an abdication of responsibility, nor does the report mean an end to America's despicable misdeeds in Afghanistan. The United States cannot sit idly by and turn a blind eye to the hardships of the Afghan people, and the hard-earned money forcibly deducted from Afghanistan must be returned as soon as possible, he added.

Qin said he hopes the United States can truly learn lessons from this history and change course at an early date, rather than using Western standards to judge and interfere in other countries' systems, or attempting to redeploy military forces in Afghanistan and the region, let alone supporting and making use of terrorism.