The Taliban Rush To Embrace China. Promise To Protect China's Interests

 

SCMP: Taliban to support belt and road plan of ‘trustworthy friend’ China 

Afghanistan will continue to participate in China's Belt and Road Initiative, the Taliban have said, expressing hopes to rely on Beijing's investment and support to rebuild the war-ravaged country while promising to protect Chinese interests there. 

The pledge from Abdul Salam Hanafi, deputy director of the Taliban's office in Doha, Qatar, came as China aimed to consolidate relations with the Afghan regime led by the Islamic militant group, despite many uncertainties. 

In a phone conversation with Chinese assistant foreign minister Wu Jianghao on Thursday, Hanafi said the Islamic group would "take effective measures" to protect Chinese institutions and personnel in Afghanistan. 

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Update #1: Afghanistan: Taliban to rely on Chinese funds, spokesperson says (Al Jazeera)  

Update #2: Taliban: China to keep embassy in Afghanistan and increase aid (MSN)  

WNU Editor: China is going to say all the right things to keep their relationship with the Taliban on a positive note, but aside from some simple aid, they are going to be cautious before making a serious financial commitment to the country. 

Beijing also knows that time will favor China getting better terms in any development/business projects with the new Taliban government. No one is going to invest in Afghanistan right now, and that is going to be Beijing's leverage.

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