KABUL: A newly appointed Chinese ambassador to Afghanistan presented his credentials to Taliban’s prime minister Mullah Hassan Akhund on Wednesday, Afghan authorities said, making China the first country to formally appoint an ambassador-level envoy since the new government took power in 2021.
The Taliban are not officially recognized by any foreign government, and it was not immediately clear whether Beijing has moved to a formal recognition of the Taliban with Wednesday’s appointment.
“Mohammad Hassan Akhund, the Prime Minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, accepted the credentials of Mr.Zhao Xing, the new Chinese ambassador to Afghanistan, during a ceremony,” said Taliban’s chief spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid in a statement.
“Prime Minister of the Islamic Emirate thanked the leadership of China for appointing Mr. Zhao Xing as ambassador and expressed the hope that his appointment will lead to the promotion of diplomatic relations to a high level and the beginning of a new chapter between the two countries.”
In this handout photo released by Taliban Prime Minister Media Office, China's new ambassador to Afghanistan Zhao Sheng shakes hand with Taliban Prime Minister Mohammad Hasan Akhund (left) during the recognition ceremony at the Presidential Palace, in Kabul on September 13, 2023. (Taliban Prime Minister Media Office via AP)
China has actively engaged the Taliban administration on various levels since they came to power, including through investment and infrastructure projects.
Afghan and Chinese railway authorities signed an accord with their counterparts from Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan last year to create a new economic corridor between their countries, which the Afghan government expects will boost trade and connectivity.
In January, the privately run oil company Xinjiang Central Asia Petroleum and Gas Co. signed a contract to extract oil from the Amu Darya basin. It was the first major extraction deal the Taliban signed with a foreign company since retaking power.
Under the contract, CAPEIC will invest $150 million a year in Afghanistan, increasing to $540 million in three years under the 25-year agreement. The deal is expected to employ about 3,000 Afghans, the Taliban had said in a statement.
When many countries closed their missions in Kabul after the Taliban seized power, China was one of the few countries which kept its diplomatic presence. Some ambassadors appointed during the previous foreign-backed Afghan government have remained in Kabul with the same title.
China’s previous ambassador to Afghanistan was Wang Yu, who took up the role in 2019 and finished his tenure last month.
In this handout photo released by Taliban Prime Minister Media Office, China's new ambassador to Afghanistan Zhao Sheng (left) reviews an honor guards as he arrives to meet with with Taliban Prime Minister Mohammad Hasan Akhund, during the recognition ceremony at the Presidential Palace, in Kabul on September 13, 2023. (Taliban Prime Minister Media Office via AP)
“The Prime Minister called the relations between Afghanistan and China important,” Mujahid said.
“(He) expressed hope that more steps will be taken to strengthen bilateral relations.”
Abdul Waheed Waheed, an international relations expert based in Kabul, said Wednesday’s development was an “important success” for the Taliban.
“Despite the fact that the presentation of credentials by a Chinese ambassador to the Taliban does not necessarily indicate full diplomatic recognition, but it certainly is a significant development,” Waheed, who had also worked with the International Rescue Committee, told Arab News.
“Economic reasons certainly play a significant role in China’s engagement in Afghanistan, but the Chinese government’s approach is multifaceted, encompassing both economic and strategic interests.”
