China calls on Afghanistan-Pakistan to talk: Mao

China calls on Afghanistan-Pakistan to talk: Mao

China Encourages Dialogue Between Afghanistan and Pakistan Amid Regional Tensions

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently facilitated a trilateral meeting with Afghanistan and Pakistan to address regional tensions and promote cooperation, underscoring China's strategic interest in stabilizing ties between the two nations according to recent reports. The meeting, held in Beijing on 21 May 2025, marked a significant step toward easing strained relations, with both countries agreeing to exchange ambassadors—a move elevating diplomatic engagement from the level of Chargé d'Affaires.

China has long advocated for regional integration, urging Afghanistan to join the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to enhance connectivity under its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). While Afghan Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi expressed support for regional integration, Kabul has yet to formally commit to CPEC participation. Simultaneously, China has encouraged Afghanistan to utilize Pakistan's Gwadar Port for trade, though progress remains stalled due to Pakistan's security concerns over the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) operating in Afghanistan.

Persistent challenges include the TTP's cross-border attacks, which have targeted Pakistani security forces and Chinese personnel, heightening Islamabad's demands for Taliban action against the group. Additionally, economic disputes, such as Pakistan's 2023 trade restrictions on Afghan goods, have disrupted the Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA), prompting Afghan traders to seek alternative routes via Iran's Chabahar Port. However, logistical constraints and underdeveloped infrastructure limit Chabahar's viability as a long-term solution.

The Afghan refugee crisis further complicates relations, with Pakistan's 2023 deportation of 60,000 undocumented Afghans drawing criticism from international human rights organizations. Despite these hurdles, China continues to prioritize Afghanistan's integration into its economic and strategic frameworks, leveraging its investments in mining and energy projects to strengthen ties.

While Beijing's mediation efforts signal a commitment to regional stability, resolving deep-seated security and economic issues remains critical for advancing CPEC's expansion into Afghanistan. The outcome of these negotiations will have significant implications for China's broader connectivity ambitions in South and Central Asia.

From Hostility to Cooperation? China's Efforts at Mediation... (IDSA, 2025).