China has renewed international calls on the Taliban to lift restrictions on girls’ education, urging Afghanistan’s rulers to reopen secondary schools and expand opportunities for women and girls, as the country enters a fifth consecutive year of educational bans affecting millions.
Addressing a United Nations Security Council session on Afghanistan, China’s representative said the fundamental rights of the Afghan people, including access to education, must be respected and protected.
The envoy noted that the UN Secretary-General’s latest report highlighted the continuation of restrictions on girls’ education beyond the sixth grade for a fifth straight year, despite repeated appeals from the international community.
He urged the Taliban authorities to take meaningful steps to ensure girls have access to education and women are allowed greater participation in the workforce, underscoring concerns that Afghanistan remains increasingly isolated over its restrictive policies.
The latest appeal adds to a long list of international demands directed at the Taliban since their return to power in 2021. Governments, humanitarian organizations, Muslim-majority countries and international institutions have repeatedly called on the Taliban to reverse their bans on girls’ education, but the group’s leadership has so far shown little willingness to alter its position.
The Chinese representative also highlighted ongoing security concerns, warning that despite relative stability in parts of Afghanistan, challenges linked to terrorism remain a significant threat.
He called for greater international coordination in addressing Afghanistan’s challenges and advocated continued pragmatic engagement with the Taliban administration.
According to the envoy, declining international aid, the mass return of displaced populations and growing regional instability could further increase pressure on Afghanistan’s fragile economy and social structure.
He pointed out that less than 20 percent of the humanitarian funding required for Afghanistan has been secured, leaving millions vulnerable to poverty, hunger and disease.
While urging the Taliban to address education and human rights concerns, China also called on the international community to maintain engagement with Afghanistan and facilitate official travel and diplomatic interactions involving Taliban officials.
The remarks come amid continuing global frustration over the Taliban’s refusal to ease restrictions on girls’ education, a policy that has become one of the most persistent points of contention between the group and the international community.
