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Afghanistan
ChinaDiplomacy

The common interests behind China and the Taliban’s talks in Tianjin

  • Beijing regards US policy in Afghanistan as a failure and is keen to protect its own interests as foreign troops withdraw
  • In addition to security concerns in its neighbouring Xinjiang region, China sees an expanded role for its belt and road plan

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Illustration: Brian Wang
Rachel Zhang
No sooner had US deputy secretary of state Wendy Sherman left Tianjin after tense talks with Chinese officials last week, than a Taliban delegation arrived at the same hotel from Afghanistan.

It was a clear message that Beijing will forge its own strategy with its neighbour after calling the US policy towards the war-torn country a failure.

As the September deadline for the withdrawal of US troops approaches, relations between China and the resurgent group were elevated on Wednesday, with Beijing’s assurance that it will back the Taliban’s role in Afghanistan’s security and reconstruction.
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“The Taliban in Afghanistan is a pivotal military and political force in the country, and is likely to play an important role in the process of reconciliation and reconstruction in Afghanistan,” Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said during talks with the delegation led by Taliban co-founder Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar.

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China pledges to support Taliban role in restoring peace in Afghanistan after US withdrawal

China pledges to support Taliban role in restoring peace in Afghanistan after US withdrawal

The talks were held in the same Tianjin hotel where Sherman met Wang and other foreign ministry officials on Monday. Sherman called on Beijing to cooperate with the US on regional issues, including Afghanistan and Iran.

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The US has intensified air strikes against the Taliban, which has seized at least half the country.

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