China sends Y-20s on quake aid mission to Afghanistan

Packed with tents and blankets, the heavy-lift aircraft touch down in Kabul with first batch of promised supplies

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A family takes shelter in a makeshift tent after a deadly earthquake in Nurgal district, Kunar province, Afghanistan, on Friday, 2025. Photo: Reuters

Published: 5:00pm, 7 Sep 2025

Two Chinese military aircraft have arrived in Kabul to deliver humanitarian aid to earthquake-hit Afghanistan, highlighting strategic trust between the two countries.

Early on Sunday, two People’s Liberation Army Air Force Y-20 heavy-lift transporters touched down with the first batch of earthquake relief cargo promised by Beijing after a devastating tremor struck eastern Afghanistan last weekend, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

The first batch of Chinese aid is mostly in the form of tents and blankets. Photo: CCTV

The supplies are mainly tents and blankets and more aid will be flown into the Afghan capital in the coming days.

A series of powerful earthquakes have struck Afghanistan since last Sunday. The initial 6.0-magnitude quake was followed by tremors measuring 5.5 on Tuesday and 5.1 on Friday.

“The disasters have resulted in 2,205 fatalities and 3,640 injuries as of September 4, with widespread damage to infrastructure and homes,” the Afghan Red Crescent Society said.

The China International Development Cooperation Agency, Beijing’s foreign aid arm, said on Thursday that the Chinese government had earmarked 50 million yuan (US$7 million) in emergency aid for Afghanistan at Kabul’s request.

China sends Y-20s on quake aid mission to Afghanistan

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Packed with tents and blankets, the heavy-lift aircraft touch down in Kabul with first batch of promised supplies

Packed with tents and blankets, the heavy-lift aircraft touch down in Kabul with first batch of promised supplies