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KABUL – In a bold diplomatic move, China is skillfully expanding its ties with Afghanistan’s Taliban government, seizing opportunities while much of the world shuns the regime, considering it as a pariah.
Amidst increasing global reluctance, China engages in top-level meetings, strikes new mineral deals, and upgrades transport routes with Kabul, actions regularly celebrated by Taliban officials. Despite playing down the formality, China is steadily escalating investments and exposure, fostering a relationship predicted to be mutually beneficial.
Marking a pivotal moment, China appointed the first ambassador to Kabul in September, and recently, the Taliban government’s envoy presented credentials to Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Wang Wenbin, China’s foreign ministry spokesman, anticipates diplomatic recognition, stating, “When concerns are vigorously addressed, recognition will follow naturally.” China, aligning with Russia, abstained from a UN Security Council vote for a special envoy to Afghanistan, standing with the Taliban.
China’s approach, exchanging ambassadors without official recognition, allows it to maintain relations without breaking ranks globally. Analysts argue that China, prioritizing its interests, may not impose conditions related to human rights.
Notably, the Taliban refrains from commenting on alleged mistreatment and rights abuses, signaling a strategic silence on sensitive issues.
China’s motive lies in accessing Afghanistan’s untapped mineral resources, including copper, lithium, and rare earths. Jalal Bazwan, a political science professor, emphasizes the economic potential for China in Afghanistan’s natural resources.
Discussions between Afghanistan’s ambassador and the Chinese state-owned company MCC on Mes Aynak, the world’s second-largest copper deposit, highlight China’s keen interest. The prospect of integrating Afghanistan into the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, with Gwadar port as a strategic outlet, underscores China’s ambitious economic vision in the region.
