Taliban: why China wants them as a friend and not as a foe

• Interim Afghan minister for commerce Haji Nooruddin Azizi even talked about the Taliban’s desire for Afghanistan to join the BRI.
• The idea of an Islamist group such as the Taliban allying with the nominally secular and communist China might appear surprising.
• It is also part of a deepening of ties between China and many Islamic nations in recent years.
• These would threaten Chinese interests in central Asia and China’s western border regions, which have become pivotal for the BRI.

China’s ties with Islamic world

• The Taliban’s presence at the BRI summit also demonstrates China’s growing ties with the Islamic world, which has drawn notable attention in recent years.
• It was also involved in the agreement to add several Islamic nations to the Brics (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) partnership.
• The initial gains from China’s efforts to portray itself as a friend to the Islamic world could be seen in how a UK-led statement condemning China’s policies in Xinjiang, mainly attracted the support of western nations, but very few Islamic nations.

Tom Harper does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.