Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has suddenly reached Afghanistan after Pakistan. Wang Yi arrived in Kabul at a time when the international community expressed concern and outrage over the Taliban breaking a promise to open schools for girls from grade 6 onwards a day earlier. Afghanistan’s Bakhtar news agency has reported that Wang will hold talks with Taliban leaders on a range of issues, including expanding political ties, economic and transit cooperation.
China has been avoiding criticizing Taliban
Since the capture of Kabul in August 2021, the Taliban have been demanding recognition of the government from the countries of the world to open their economy, but so far no country in the world has recognized the Taliban government. China has shown no inclination to recognize the Taliban government but has refrained from criticizing the new rulers.
China to open Kabul embassy?
China has economic interests in Afghanistan. Afghanistan has reserves of rare minerals such as lithium and is closely watched by China. China wants to start mining of important minerals once again. Reports suggest that China may reactivate its embassy in Kabul. Along with all this, China also needs Taliban to complete its One Belt, One Road project.
China wants Taliban support on Uighur Muslims
Reports suggest that Beijing seeks a Taliban commitment to prevent Uighur opponents from setting up operations in Afghanistan. Members of the East Turkestan movement of Uighurs have been demanding an independent country in northwest China for the past several years. Experts say that Beijing wants a stable Afghanistan so that it can invest heavily in Pakistan and Afghanistan and complete its projects.