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China is our most important partner and represents the fundamental and extraordinary opportunity for us, “Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid in September 2021, shortly after the Taliban entered power in Afghanistan. Later last month, China replied to this enthusiasm by holding Taliban members besides The Minister of Foreign Affairs from neighboring Afghanistan to discuss the development of the country’s economy and security led by the Taliban. Beijing focal association of the Taliban only adds to the instability in the region, challenging A.S. and its allies to find new ways to deal with combined threats.
A week before the meeting of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, was stopped by Kabul to discuss with acting Afghanistan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. Conversations were reported to focus on increasing the Afghan mining sector and the role of Afghanistan in the belt and Chinese road initiative (BRI). Wang is the most senior Chinese officials to visit since the Taliban grab control over the country. His arrival in Kabul came one day after the Taliban faced strong international criticism to reverse previous promises to allow high school for girls.
Chinese relations that are developing with the Taliban should not be surprising, because increasing the bond has become a public goal of Beijing even before US withdrawal. In August 2021, after falling Kabul, China issued a statement that said “Respect the rights of Afghans to independently determine their own destiny” and will develop “friendly and cooperative relationships with Afghanistan.” Although China has not officially recognized the Taliban, Chinese rhetoric and sustainable involvement shows official recognition may not be far away.
Beijing chases two main goals through his outreach to the Taliban. The first is the guarantee of the Taliban that they will reduce the threats posed by extremist groups operating close to the Chinese border. In particular, Beijing wants the Taliban to stop the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), which supports Uyghur separatism, from expanding and potentially carrying out attacks.
Second, Beijing wants to protect investments that have been made in Afghanistan and plan to make programs like BRI. Proposal by Chinese companies to extract and develop copper deposits and Afghan oil has been detained for more than a decade due to political instability. With the United States go, China hopes the Taliban can stabilize enough countries to continue these projects.
