China may ‘push forward’ Afghanistan peace process to protect Belt and Road interests

Analysts say pull-out of US troops raises stakes for Beijing, which worries instability in war-torn neighbouring country could spill across border

They say diplomatic platforms such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation could be used to drive negotiations

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Analysts suggest Beijing is worried that if the situation in Afghanistan worsens, it could jeopardise the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project. Photo: AFP

Published: 9:33pm, 29 Jan 2019Updated: 5:58pm, 30 Jan 2019

China is expected to step up diplomatic efforts to drive the Afghanistan peace process in order to safeguard its interests in the region after the US withdraws its troops from the war-ravaged country, analysts said.

After talks with Taliban representatives, US chief negotiator Zalmay Khalilzad on Monday said the two sides had agreed “in principle” to the framework of a peace deal that would pave the way for the Americans to leave Afghanistan, The New York Times reported. Under the deal, the militants would negotiate with Kabul and prevent terrorist groups from using Afghan territory.

US special envoy for peace in Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad said US and Taliban officials had agreed “in principle” to the framework of a peace deal. Photo: AFP

Analysts said the pull-out of US troops raised the stakes for Beijing, which has long been concerned that instability in Afghanistan could spill across its border. The East Turkestan Islamic Movement, a Muslim separatist militant group that Beijing has branded a terrorist organisation, has in the past operated in both Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Analysts also suggested Beijing was concerned that if the situation in Afghanistan worsened after the US withdrawal, it could jeopardise the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor – a vast transport and infrastructure project that is a key part of Beijing’s “Belt and Road Initiative”.

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