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KABUL – The Taliban leadership has sent their acting commerce minister to Beijing to participate in the Belt and Road Forum, marking highest-profile diplomatic engagement even though the group has no international legitimacy and is pleading for recognition.
China has been actively pursuing closer ties with the Taliban administration since the withdrawal of U.S. and other foreign forces from Afghanistan two years ago, despite the absence of formal recognition from any government. This engagement is driven, in part, by the potential mineral resources that the economically struggling nation holds.
Chinese officials say the Taliban government expressed desire to be a part of the ‘Belt and Road’ initiative with the goal of achieving national stability and economic development, granting Beijing its wish in strengthening its ties with the diplomatically-isolated group.
Azizi’s agenda in Beijing includes inviting “large investors” to explore opportunities in Afghanistan. He is also scheduled to continue discussions with Chinese officials regarding the construction of a road through the Wakhan corridor, a narrow, mountainous region in the northern part of Afghanistan.
China has been engaged in talks with the Taliban concerning plans, initiated under the previous foreign-backed government, for a significant copper mining project in eastern Afghanistan.
While China’s ambassador formally presented credentials to the Taliban’s acting prime minister in the previous month, other nations have refrained from changing their diplomatic representation, avoiding the formal presentation of credentials to the Taliban-led government.
This development marks a significant diplomatic milestone as the Taliban desperately seek international recognition and partnerships.
