Wang Yi, China’s State Councilor and Foreign Minister, visited Afghanistan on Thursday, becoming the highest-ranking Chinese official to visit the nation since the Taliban took power in Afghanistan.
This surprise visit by China took the international commune by shock as the world community remains infuriated over Afghanistan’s broken promise a day earlier to open schools to girls beyond Grade 6.
A statement on the website of the Chinese foreign ministry stated: “China respects Afghanistan’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity respects the independent choice made by the Afghan people and respects Afghanistan’s religious beliefs and customs. China never interferes in Afghanistan’s internal affairs, never seeks any self-interest in Afghanistan, and never seeks the so-called sphere of influence.”
Afghanistan’s foreign ministry spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balhki stated:
“The two sides discussed the trade of dried fruits, issuance of visas, and primary work for mining, as well as Afghanistan’s role in the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).”
China’s interests in developing Afghanistan
The Diplomat (Asia-Pacific Region-Specific International Magazine):
“The untapped resources in Afghanistan are attractive to China, which faces growing domestic demands for energy and primary commodities. However, Beijing is aware that mining ventures into Afghanistan would be a long shot, requiring many pieces to be put in place first, such as security guarantees and proper infrastructure.”
Rest of the World
As China is stretching its diplomatic channel based on nation-specific interests. The rest of the world remains engaged in the Ukraine-Russia war.
The west and EU are working tirelessly to burden Russia with as many sanctions as it can level. Russia too largely remains consumed in inventing options to keep its economy alive as it remains adamant about capturing Ukraine.
The US President Joe Biden stated:
“I think that China understands that its economic future is much more closely tied to the West than it is to Russia. And so, I am hopeful that he does not get engaged.”
As the US tries to restrict China from providing aid to Russia. It seems that China diverted its attention to another vacuum, i.e., Afghanistan (created by the mighty US). China is utilising the vacant channels to its benefit. China’s inline visit to first Pakistan then to Afghanistan and now its unannounced visit to India. China is progressing its diplomatic stronghold as the world remains largely consumed in the Russian-Ukraine war.
Published by: Shivani Bhalke
Edited by: Subbuthai Padma
