On 28th June 2022, the Chinese Air Force again completed a major strategical flight mission. Two Y-20 large size military cargo planes arrived at Kabul in Afghanistan, carrying with them disaster relief supplies, urgently needed by the Afghan people after a deadly earthquake.

The Y-20 provides the airlifting capability for China to provide urgent assistance to Afghanistan and other countries, meeting the urgent demand, proving its strategical and tactical value. Some online posts compared arrival of the Y-20 with the chaotic departure of the US C-17 transport aircraft. In 2021, the US failed to organize a well-planned exit from Kabul, which is widely regarded as a major failure of White House foreign policy.

The Y-20 aircraft sent the first shipment of supplies, including 120 tents, 320 folding beds and more than 6,000 blankets. In addition, 8,000 tons of food promised earlier by China have been delivered by commercial cargo planes.

Officials of both countries were in the airport to welcome the planes. The Y-20 aircraft have achieved a few key missions recently, including military exercise in Russia, medicals supplies to a few Asian and Pacific countries, plus shipping anti-aircraft missile systems to Serbia.

China is willing to further work with Afghanistan to implement the consensus reached between the two countries, to help Afghanistan to cope with natural disasters and humanitarian hardships.

It is reported that Afghanistan Taliban government values the importance to the relations with China and regards China as a source of support, and will continue to support the one-China principle.

China decided to provide $7.5 million in emergency assistance to the disaster areas, which has over 1,000 people dead due to earthquake. Chinese Ambassador to Afghanistan Wang Yu again confirmed the commitment.

This Y-20 mission again shows China has an keen eye on Afghanistan. Back in the chaotic days when the US exit Kabul, China promised to keep its embassy in Kabul open and “beef up” relations, which is welcomed by the Taliban government.

After taking over Kabul, the first two foreign countries the Taliban has proper relationship are Qatar and China.

Since the Taliban took full control of Afghanistan, economy and international relationship have not been going so well for the Taliban. The west has mostly adopted a wait-and-see approach, China has said it seeks “friendly and cooperative” relations.

The Taliban-controlled country is vital to the security of western China, including Xinjiang region. Analysts have said a stable and cooperative government in Kabul could help major Chinese effort in improving the overall situation in western China and central Asia. China may also look into initiating infrastructural and other investment in Afghanistan, possibly including the big copper and lithium mines in the country.

Chinese Military News: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIRTFwkOjzw&list=PLofQNsLszRLLmrmgQO6Lt4qnWZUaYx6ls
China Air Force: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uYlcS-a_HI&list=PLofQNsLszRLKAqgLS90Cn_hzZjg_IuSWm
Chinese space exploration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJaDP7cRxx4&list=PLofQNsLszRLJvyUJ9_1AJ7uSqZPcdDZRu

Photo and video: Wiki common, Yangshipin site, Yangshijunshi weibo