China continues Taliban balancing act after new ambassador arrives in Afghanistan
- Beijing is in the unusual position of maintaining an ambassador and embassy in a country ruled by a regime it does not officially recognise
- China is showing support amid the country’s ongoing crisis but is not yet ready to establish formal ties, diplomatic observers said
While the Taliban – which has not been officially recognised by any foreign government – hailed Zhao’s arrival as “the beginning of a new chapter”, the Chinese foreign ministry sought to play down hopes for a formal recognition.
The Taliban has yet to be recognised by any foreign government, but observers said the appointment signaled China’s willingness to forge closer ties with the Islamic fundamentalist group.
In a departure from the normal diplomatic protocols, Beijing retained ambassador-level relations and an embassy in Kabul after the fall of the previous US-backed government.
03:07
World Food Programme cuts rations to Afghanistan as millions close to famine
The foreign ministry in Beijing described Zhao’s arrival as “the normal rotation of China’s ambassador to Afghanistan, and is intended to continue advancing dialogue and cooperation between China and Afghanistan”.
“China’s policy towards Afghanistan is clear and consistent,” the ministry added, according to Reuters.
