China boosts security role in Afghanistan to counter growing terrorism threat
Moves signal Beijing’s growing concern that nascent peace talks between Afghan government and Taliban could fail, providing safe haven for Uygur militants or Islamic State-linked fighters plotting attacks on China
As China watches Afghan peace talks flounder and Islamic militants make inroads in parts of its troubled neighbour, Beijing is taking its most concrete steps yet towards assuming a direct security role in the country.
In recent weeks, China has pledged US$70 million in military aid to Afghanistan and proposed a four-nation security bloc including Pakistan and Tajikistan.
The partnership – floated by top Chinese general Fang Fenghui and endorsed by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in Kabul last month – will see China help coordinate efforts to fight terrorism at its backdoor.
The moves signal Beijing’s growing concern that nascent peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban could fail, providing a safe haven for Uygur militants or Islamic State-linked fighters who might seek to plot attacks on China.
They dovetail with a broader foreign policy revision under President Xi Jinping, who has shown a willingness to expand its security presence in Africa and the Middle East to protect growing overseas Chinese interests.