China offers to deepen cooperation with Taliban rulers

During a meeting with Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, Wang expressed China's willingness to explore mining in Afghanistan and have Kabul formally join its Belt and Road Initiative, a massive infrastructure plan

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China‘s Foreign Minister Wang Yi has offered to deepen cooperation with the Taliban rulers in Afghanistan, according to the Afghan Taliban Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During a meeting with Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, Wang expressed China’s willingness to explore mining in Afghanistan and have Kabul formally join its Belt and Road Initiative, a massive infrastructure plan.

The initiative is a central pillar of President Xi Jinping’s bid to expand China’s global influence.

According to the Afghan statement, Wang told Muttaqi that China wants to deepen ties in a number of areas, including trade and agriculture. Muttaqi said that Afghanistan is committed to achieving long-term peace and stability with China’s support.

Wang also called on Afghanistan to combat armed groups, adding that tighter security ties would provide a guarantee to bilateral economic cooperation. “Mr Wang Yi also mentioned that China intends to initiate practical mining activities this year,” the Afghan statement said.

Wang is in Kabul for trilateral meetings between China, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Neither Beijing nor Islamabad formally recognizes the interim administration, but both nations have posted their ambassadors in Kabul and have received Afghan envoys in their capitals.

During the meetings, Wang met with Afghan Prime Minister Mullah Muhammad Hassan Akhund, according to Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesperson of the administration.

“China has cooperated not only with Afghanistan but also with other countries around the world in their development, and it has played a constructive role,” Akhund told Wang, urging Beijing to continue its “efforts and cooperation on the international stage in support of Afghanistan’s legitimate position”.

Wang told the prime minister that China was a “sincere and steadfast” friend of Afghanistan. “We fully support the Afghan people in their progress,” he said, according to Fitrat. The impoverished country, rich in lithium, copper, and iron deposits, could offer a wealth of mineral resources to boost Beijing’s supply chain security, analysts say.

China was the first country to appoint an ambassador to Afghanistan under the Taliban and has sought to develop its ties with the hardline group that took control of the war-torn country in 2021.

Wang’s visit to Kabul is a significant step in China’s efforts to expand its influence in the region and secure its economic interests. As China continues to deepen its ties with Afghanistan, it remains to be seen how this will impact the country’s relations with other nations, including Pakistan and India.

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