Growing China’s interest in Afghanistan

China is intensifying its efforts to bring peace in Afghanistan. Its efforts are not for to cover void space created after with drawl of America, but to bring peace in this region with peaceful political transition in Afghanistan.

China’s diplomatic relations with Afghanistan has been increasing after 2014. China is also willing of peaceful political transition in Afghanistan after with drawl of ISAF Security forces and America at the end of December 2014. In fourth annual foreign ministers meeting of Istanbul Producers hosted by China in Beijing supported peaceful transition in Afghanistan. Because Afghanistan is in center of South Asia, Central Asia and Middle East. So, Stability or Instability in Afghanistan directly effects these countries.

China recently hosted many talks between neighbor about peace and stability in Afghanistan. In 2014 talks held between India, China and Russia about future of Afghanistan and then between Iran and China. Most recent talks held between Afghanistan , China and Pakistan in Kabul about stability in Afghanistan. China as growing economic power should have to take role in steps to bring stability in this region. In this regards, Shanghai Corporation Organization(SCO) , in which all these neighbors are members should take negotiation steps to bring peace in this region.

Diplomatic relations between Afghanistan and China has been increasing. Chines foreign minister had visited Afghanistan in February 2014 and supported peaceful transition of power in Afghanistan. After it in October 2014, Deputy chief of PLA had also visited to promote security promises with Afghanistan nad bring stability . After it Afghan President Dr. Ashraf Ghani had also visited China to insure his promises with China on its cooperation on security and economy in Afghanistan.

Main support of China to Afghanistan is to boost up its economy . China during 2001 to 2003 had increased its aid to Afghanistan to about 1.5 Billion Yaun($240M). But in 2014 China gave additional to Afghanistan of about 500 Million Yaun($80M) and with 1.5 Billion Yawn ($500M) for next three years. China started its support to Afghanistan in different areas. Like it will provide 500 scholarships of Afghan student to study in China and also train in security , health and other skills.

China also made agreement with Afghanistan to bring peace in it. Because stability in Afghanistan in also linked with China. China shares border of length 90 Km (56 Miles) although it is not too long , but it matters. China shares its border area of Xinjiag with Afghanistan . China has fear that separatist , terrorists in its region might not link with terrorist in Afghanistan which will drastic for China and the region too.

China also invested in infrastructure development in Afghanistan. It helped in ‘Mes Anyak ’ Copper mine located in South Afghanistan . It also supported to locate Amu Drya Oil field in North of Afghanistan . But its main aim to start its economic corridor in Afghanistan which links it with South and Central Asia. It also bring network of railway tracks and roads in Afghanistan which will boost economy of Afghanistan.

In fourth meeting of Istanbul Process (IP) attended by foreign ministers of this region China supported peaceful transition in Afghanistan and also gave five point agenda for Afghanistan .

• Afghanistan should be ruled by Afghan people.
• Political reconciliation
• Economical reconstruction
• Develop new paths of development
• Provide international cooperation to Afghan govt.

In Istanbul Process (IP) meeting it made a statement that Afghanistan has its cultural history. Each as to respect its culture and background. Moreover Taliban are reality. No one can undermine their presence and importance in Afghanistan . So, world should have to play role to negotiate between Taliban and Afghan National Govt.

Although China has never directly involve in any country internal affairs. Especially it never used its power to fight against Taliban. So, it is also keep itself out from Americas attack on Afghanistan and its ally NATO. But China should have to play its role to negotiate between Taliban and Afghan govt. due to following reason,

• Chinas diplomacy rely on negotiation and talks .
• China never impose its orders on its neighbor and it has good relation with them.
• China has also need of peaceful Afghanistan because of Economic corridor in Afghanistan.

An ‘American newspaper Washington Post’ posted a story that China has hosted a negotiation talks between Afghan Taliban and Afghan Govt. But China did not respond to it.

A China’s ambassador to Afghanistan told their ambition in Afghanistan in a meeting about Af-China relations,

“We believe that Afghanistan should be ruled by Afghan people. We want to bring economical reforms and political reconciliation . We will also help Afghanistan to make them familiar with the world and to bring support for them from rest of the world ”.


So, China should have to carry on its efforts , if it is determined in its ambition to bring stability in Afghanistan. Because make landlocked country like Afghanistan a prosperous country is not a deal of one or two years. It may require a long term policy of more than ten or more years. So, it should have to carry on its efforts towards target without caring rest of the world , who don’t want stability in Afghanistan for their missions.

dear brother.
At the outset,I appreciate your piece and encourage you to continue to write extensively as it is now a hackneyed phrase" practice makes man perfect.But to me,some corrections to your piece would enhace its significance and quality.
I mean in the first three paragraphs you have repeatedly refering to the peaceful transition and China's growing ties with Afghanistan refrain.I think it is intolerable repetition.

Although,it is imperative to discuss them but it would have been far better if you had discussed the strategic gains China and this region will harvest from there smooth bilateral ties.How China can be instrumental in sustaining peace following the withdrwal of isaf and nato.But overall I rate it a good attempt.keep on writing and sharing.