By expanding its economic influence in Afghanistan, China is trying to ensure regional stability and maintain the security of its investments within the framework of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.
According to a report by the Washington Post, at a recent meeting in Beijing, the Taliban and Pakistan agreed to resume diplomatic relations and for Afghanistan to join the CPEC.
This agreement was reached under the mediation of China and in the shadow of increasing threats from the insurgents.
Pakistan has secured a commitment from the Taliban to prevent the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) from operating on Afghan soil, a group that has historically had close ties to the Afghan Taliban.
China, which has invested billions of dollars in Pakistani infrastructure projects over the past decade, is unhappy with the insurgent attacks; at least 20 Chinese citizens have been killed in Pakistan since 2021.
The Taliban, under severe economic pressure, are seeking Chinese investment, analysts say, but internal disputes and the influence of more hardline factions in Kandahar could prevent the agreement from being fully implemented.
China is also concerned about the threat posed by Islamist groups to security in the Xinjiang region and is seeking to use the Taliban’s cooperation to contain these threats.
