China has maintained a close relationship with the Taliban for years, and following the fall of Ashraf Ghani’s government and the ouster of the US, Beijing has been looking for greater role in the country.

China said on Thursday that 90 countries have confirmed attendance for its Belt and Road Initiative conference being held in October.

The Chinese state-run daily Global Times has dismissed a Western media’s claim that some European countries do not plan to attend this year’s Belt & Road Forum for International Cooperation.

The days of US dollar hegemony appear to be numbered as multiple countries have adopted alternative currencies to the US dollar for international transactions.

Countries in West Asia are switching from traditional trade routes to alternative ones providing cheaper and quicker freight services in defiance of the West’s unilateral sanctions against them, according to an analyst.

The Chinese state-run daily Global Times says Tehran and Beijing should not take heed of the West’s “arrogant” attitude in this regard.

President Raeisi says Iran and China consider unilateralism and oppressive sanctions as root causes of insecurity and crises.