In a surprising turn of events, the Taliban, currently in control of Afghanistan, is set to join China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) forum. This move has raised numerous questions about China's stance on the legitimacy of the Taliban government and its potential impact on Afghanistan's future.
Denis Berdakov, a Kyrgyz political scientist and head of the Diplomat Center for Social and Political Studies, spoke with Daryo about the situation.
Berdakov commented on China's complex position, stating, "China is stumped by the political situation in Afghanistan. On the one hand, they clearly articulate that it is an extremist regime. And deep under the mask of officialism, Chinese officials do not understand how such a regime can even exist in the regime of a state."
He further explained, "On the other hand, Afghanistan is an important element of BRI, through which many key communications to the Middle East pass. In addition, Afghanistan, like the rest of Central Asia, is a region rich in rare earth elements. And in sum, China has done the practical thing. It does not recognize the Taliban (and Islamic fundamentalism as a ruling ideology). But it is ready to trade with the ruling elites of Afghanistan and is involving them as widely as possible in its BRI project."
When asked about the philosophical implications of China's engagement with Afghanistan, Berdakov responded, "Philosophically speaking, it is through the example of Afghanistan that China can see how its harmonious ideological and moral practices are cracking at the seams as it tries to build a larger macro-region of its own. This is the same reason China doesn't have soft power in the Western sense of it."
In response to whether this move would impact Afghanistan positively, he stated, "So far, there is every reason to believe that China and the Taliban will surprisingly find common ground. Afghanistan has been a place where empires came at the height of their power. They carried values and fought over farms of influence. China does not meddle with the Taliban and the people of Afghanistan as a whole. It offers a trade as old as our world itself. This suits both sides. The Taliban is not looking for love, admiration, or recognition. It is looking for understanding. China is ready to give it."
Regarding the potential for economic benefits and stability in Afghanistan, he said, "Yes, I think if the Taliban does not destroy itself from within in a battle of warlords and religious prophets, China will launch through it and communications going to the Middle East and Central Asia."
This move by China to engage with the Taliban government marks a significant development in the geopolitical landscape, raising questions about the evolving dynamics in the region and the potential impact on Afghanistan's future stability and development.
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