China deepens ties with Taliban to exploit resources, pursue Uyghurs, new report reveals

Nikkei Asia, a major Japan-based English-language weekly news magazine, has published a report, a copy of which was received by Shia Waves Agency, which says that the Chinese authorities are standing out for an active role in Afghanistan.

The report, published earlier this month, said that “Experts note that Beijing’s growing influence in war-torn Afghanistan is largely driven by a desire to check militants that threaten its own interests, including Uyghur groups and the Pakistani Taliban.”

It mentioned that “Chinese companies continue to visit Afghanistan to explore business opportunities and sign deals, especially in mining.”

Kabul’s state-run Bakhtar news agency reported that “In July, the Taliban administration announced that the Fan China Afghan Mining Processing and Trading Company, a Chinese concern, plans to invest around $350 million in Afghanistan across sectors such as electricity production, cement manufacturing and health care.”

Nikkei Asia’s report explained that “Wang Yu, China’s ambassador to Afghanistan, is understood to hold regular meetings with Taliban ministers and officials, including Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani.”