Beijing, China - Sept 15, 2021 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
1. Press briefing in progress
2. Reporters
3. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Zhao Lijian, spokesman, Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
"The assets belong to Afghanistan and should be used for the Afghan people. The U.S. should not freeze it unreasonably. The United States should face up to Afghanistan's legitimate demands, abandon the practice of pressure and sanctions, and stop creating obstacles to Afghanistan's economy, people's livelihood, and peaceful reconstruction."
4. Various of reporters

FILE: Washington D.C., USA - Date Unknown (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
5. Various of Capitol Hill, U.S. national flag

FILE: Kabul, Afghanistan - Date unknown (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
6. Various of U.S. troops on street

Kabul, Afghanistan - Sept 2, 2021 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
7. Various of street, traffic

Kabul, Afghanistan - Sept 4, 2021 (CGTN - No access Chinese mainland)
8. Various of pedestrians

The United States should face up to Afghanistan's legitimate demands and stop imposing pressure and sanctions, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian at a regular press conference in Beijing on Wednesday.

Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen said on Monday that the interim government of Afghanistan will take "every legal step possible" to lift the United States' freeze on assets of the Afghan central bank.

Commenting on the statement, Zhao said the U.S. should stop the unreasonable act as the assets belong to the Afghan people.

"The assets belong to Afghanistan and should be used for the Afghan people. The U.S. should not freeze it unreasonably. The United States should face up to Afghanistan's legitimate demands, abandon the practice of pressure and sanctions, and stop creating obstacles to Afghanistan's economy, people's livelihood, and peaceful reconstruction," said Zhao.