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China-Afghanistan relations

China-Afghanistan relations
China has historically taken a back seat in Afghanistan. But with the departure of American forces and the Taliban taking power, Beijing is taking on a greater role to try to ensure the long-term stability of one of its most troubled neighbours.
last updated:
15 October, 2024
The flags of the China and the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. File photo: Reuters
Chinese overseas

China condemns killing of national in Afghanistan attack claimed by Isis

Islamic State said it targeted a vehicle carrying the Chinese citizen, which led to his death.

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Pakistan

Pakistan warns Taliban of air strikes over future attacks as Kabul vows revenge

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Diplomacy

Opinion | Will suing the Taliban protect Afghan women? Maybe with China’s help

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China-Middle East relations

Open Questions | China’s evolving role in Middle East conflicts, according to an academic

Prominent academic Pan Guang gives his view on Beijing’s role in conflict mediation, its engagement with the Global South, and belt and road security.

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez
Diplomacy

Afghan copper mine holds promise for Taliban, tempered expectations for China

As work begins on a long-delayed, multibillion-dollar project, Chinese officials remain cautious, while economic hopes rise in war-torn country.

Pakistan

Pakistan vows ‘no cake and pastries’ for TTP militants, heeding China’s warning

China’s warning that further investment hinges on an improved security situation likely acted as a catalyst, analysts say.

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Women and gender

Opinion | World leaders choosing closer Taliban ties betray Afghan women

The world had a chance in Doha to stand up to the Taliban, but its failure to do so left Afghanistan’s rulers stronger than ever.

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Supporters of the Independent Coalition of Afghan Women’s Protest Movement hold placards during a protest to demand rights of Afghan women from Taliban government in Islamabad, Pakistan, on June 10. Women and civil society groups were barred from the latest UN-backed summit with the Taliban, raising fears that world leaders were ready to abandon their commitment to Afghan women for closer ties with the Taliban. Photo: EPA-EFE
Belt and Road Initiative

China’s Xi seeks Pakistan security guarantee as he pledges deeper cooperation

The request to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif follows a series of attacks on Chinese citizens, the most recent of which happened in March.

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Belt and Road Initiative

Terrorism and economy expected to top agenda of China-Pakistan talks

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will head to China, where he will meet President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang. The visit comes amid worries about attacks targeting infrastructure projects under multibillion-dollar economic corridor

Diplomacy

Opinion | China and South Asia must solve regional tensions to fight terrorism

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s efforts against terrorism will not work unless diverging security interests among member states are addressed. India and Afghanistan’s alleged support of attacks in Pakistan and border clashes are holding back economic integration and security cooperation.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
Pakistan

Pakistan arrests 11 militants involved in Chinese engineers’ killing

The March suicide bombing killed five Chinese engineers near the border with Afghanistan. On Sunday, Pakistan officials said the arrested men belong to local Taliban group TTP.

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A bridge with the flags of China and Pakistan over the River Indus, at the site of Dasu Dam or Dasu Hydropower Project, in Kohistan district Kyber Pakhtunkhwa province, near Dasu, Pakistan. Photo: Reuters
Afghanistan

China pressures Afghanistan to stop attacks on its interests in Pakistan

Beijing has proposed investments in Afghanistan if Kabul could restrain the militants responsible for the attacks, analysts say.

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Climate change

Opinion | Why China should step up aid to Afghanistan

The Taliban has been accused of being slow to act on deadly flash floods that have killed more than 300 and left 40,000 children homeless. Also vulnerable to climate change, China can share its experience in mitigating floods with Afghanistan and increase aid to help the country rebuild

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Central Asia

Why China is wary of opening up Afghanistan’s new road to Xinjiang

Observers said the Taliban’s hopes that the completed project will become a link to China’s vast network are unlikely to be shared by Beijing.

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The exact location of Afghanistan’s Little Pamir Road has not been disclosed, but it is understood to reach the Chinese border via the narrow and barely accessible strip of land called the Wakhan Corridor. Photo: AFP
Women and gender

Opinion | World is betraying Afghan women by legitimising the Taliban

Engaging with the Taliban in the hope it reverses its position on human rights is naive, particularly when the situation for women is worsening.

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A Taliban fighter stands guard as women wait to receive food from a humanitarian aid group in Kabul on May 23. Photo: AP
China trade

China-Afghanistan agriculture trade planting seeds for stronger ties

Potential import agreements could lead to a broader and more definitive relationship between China and Afghanistan, as the latter country struggles to pull itself out of a war- and disaster-induced economic slump.

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Diplomacy

Opinion | How China can stop Pakistan from worsening Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis

Pakistan’s deportation of over a million Afghans threatens to overwhelm Afghanistan’s struggling economy and aid agencies, and put lives in danger. China should pressure Pakistan to reverse or delay its decision.

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Belt and Road Initiative

Taliban official to attend China’s Belt and Road Forum, spokesman confirms

Taliban’s acting minister for commerce and industry, Haji Nooruddin Azizi, will travel to Beijing, ministry spokesman tells Reuters, in move underscoring China’s growing ties with Kabul.

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China’s new ambassador Zhao Sheng is greeted by acting Taliban Prime Minister Mohammad Hasan Akhund at the Presidential Palace in Afghan capital Kabul on September 13. Photo: AP
Afghanistan

Editorial | China approach offers hope to Afghanistan

Trans-Himalayan forum reflects balancing act Beijing must undertake with troubled neighbour if regional security is to be improved.

Afghanistan

Terror threat to Chinese in Afghanistan ‘is challenge to our own’, Taliban vows

Amir Khan Muttaqi also gives ‘effective guarantee’ of Chinese nationals’ safety in the country during talks with counterpart Wang Yi on sidelines of regional forum in Tibet.

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India

Afghanistan’s embassy in India suspends operations

Most foreign nations – including India – do not officially recognise Afghanistan’s Taliban government, which seized power following the collapse of the Western-backed government more than two years ago.

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A view of the embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in New Delhi, India on Saturday, Photo: EPA-EFE
Afghanistan

China keeps up Taliban balancing act after new envoy 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.

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China’s new ambassador to Afghanistan Zhao Sheng shakes hands with Taliban acting prime minister Mohammad Hasan Akhund, in Kabul on Wednesday. Photo: AP
Afghanistan

Afghanistan’s Taliban sign mining contracts worth US$6.5 billion

The mining contracts are the Taliban’s biggest such round of deals since seizing power two years ago.

Afghanistan

Why China is still on the sidelines in Afghanistan 2 years after US exit

China has been reluctant to fill the void left by the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, with pundits citing ‘no illusions about great influence over the Taliban’ and lingering security risks.

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Afghanistan

Cautious signs of Chinese business life return to Afghanistan

But the risk of sanctions and security factors mean Chinese companies are still reluctant to invest in Afghanistan, says academic.

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Illustration: Henry Wong
Belt and Road Initiative

China announces land link with Taliban-controlled Afghanistan

State media heralded the departure of a cargo from Lanzhou, a key transport hub, but analysts said its main importance is the symbolism.

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A shipment bound for Afghanistan left Lanzhou on Wednesday. Photo: Xinhua
Afghanistan

Opinion | Taliban’s failures have left Afghanistan in the grip of terrorism again

Rise of groups such as Isis-K and al-Qaeda mean Afghans live in fear, while neighbouring states, particularly China, are concerned about the threat to their investments in the country and the possibility of a spillover of terrorist activity.

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Terrorism

China, Iran, Pakistan agree to make anti-terror talks a regular event

Decision comes after Chinese foreign ministry’s external security affairs chief holds first such meeting with Iranian and Pakistani counterparts in Beijing.

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