25/10/2023 (China) - The Taliban administration has expressed its intention to become a formal member of Chinese President Xi Jinping's expansive Belt and Road infrastructure project. Haji Nooruddin Azizi, Afghanistan's acting commerce minister, disclosed on Thursday that a technical team will be dispatched to China to engage in discussions.
Since the Taliban assumed power in 2021, Beijing has actively pursued a relationship with the administration, despite it not being officially recognized by any other foreign government. Breaking from the international consensus, China recently distinguished itself by becoming the first nation to assign an ambassador to Kabul.
Haji Nooruddin Azizi, in a conversation with Reuters, stated, "We requested China to allow us to be a part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and Belt and Road Initiative ... [and] are discussing technical issues today." The "economic corridor" he mentioned pertains to a central segment of the Belt and Road Initiative located in Pakistan, which neighbors Afghanistan.
Furthermore, Nooruddin revealed that the Taliban administration would be sending experts to China to gain a clearer comprehension of the hurdles preventing Afghanistan from joining the initiative. However, he didn't specify what these obstacles were.
The potential benefits for China could be significant. Afghanistan boasts an array of sought-after mineral resources, which could be particularly appealing to Chinese companies. Several such companies, including the Metallurgical Corp. of China (MCC), are already operational in Afghanistan. MCC has engaged in discussions with both the Taliban administration and the prior Western-supported government about a potentially substantial copper mine project.
Emphasizing the investment potential, Nooruddin remarked, "China, which invests all over the world, should also invest in Afghanistan ... We have everything they need, such as lithium, copper, and iron. Afghanistan is now, more than ever, prepared for investment."
Addressing the discussions with MCC, Nooruddin confirmed that talks had been postponed due to the proximity of the mine to a historic location. Yet, discussions are ongoing. "The Chinese company has made a substantial investment and we support them," he commented.
However, investor concerns about security persist, given the threats posed by the Islamic State militant group in Kabul. Responding to these concerns, Nooruddin reiterated that ensuring security is a top priority for the Taliban administration. He emphasized the current relative safety in various regions of the country post the two-decade-long war.
Nooruddin concluded, "It is now feasible to travel to provinces known for industry, agriculture, and mines, which were previously inaccessible... security can be assured."
In related news, Afghanistan, along with 34 other nations, pledged collaboration on digital economy and green development endeavors during the recent Belt and Road Forum.