www.stimson.org/2025/chinas-...

All this and more in the February update on China-Afghanistan relations! www.stimson.org/2024/update-...

4. Competition: Bloomberg reported India will allow a Taliban ambassador-level post in New Delhi to counter China’s influence in Afghanistan. Bad news for China; analysts already note Afghanistan’s positive perceptions of India and fear U.S.-India coordination in the country.

3. UN Feud: the United States and China are feuding over who should hold the pen on resolutions related to Afghanistan at the UNSC. Holding the pen could give China more control over the direction of the UN’s direction on Afghanistan — and maybe more leverage over the Taliban?

2. The Chinese Embassy in Afghanistan agrees the situation is worsening: the embassy warned citizens not to travel to Afghanistan in the near future, a more severe warning than the one issued last month, warning citizens to not go out or take armed security if they must go out.

1. Chinese analysts saw a worsening situation in Afghanistan, highlighting missing senior officials and a series of attacks by anti-Taliban forces.

See the latest data here: www.stimson.org/2024/update-...

5. No interactions between China’s ambassador to Afghanistan and Taliban officials were reported by the Chinese embassy from December 10 to January 20, the biggest lapse in reporting since May–August 2023.

4. Reports of China-led mediation between Afghanistan and Pakistan dwindled, with more international efforts reported. The UAE was reportedly mediating and efforts by UNSC members’ representatives were also reported.

3. India emerged as a possible player in Afghanistan, meeting with the Taliban’s acting foreign minister in Dubai, to the dismay of some Chinese analysts who feared U.S.-India coordination on Afghanistan.

2. China and Afghanistan celebrated the 70th anniversary of China-Afghanistan, the first such celebration publicized since 2020.

1. A Chinese national with a license to mine was killed in Takhar one day after the anniversary of China-Afghanistan relations. The Chinese embassy urged adherence to Afghanistan’s mining laws and reminded citizens to not travel to Afghanistan. China’s government lodged serious protests.

All this and more in the December update on China-Afghanistan relations! www.stimson.org/2024/update-...

6) Cold storage: the Chinese government plans to build three facilities with 1500-ton capacity in Kabul, Takhar, and Badakhshan.

5) New dam: the Chinese contractor for the Mes Aynak mine signed agreements for feasibility studies for the Baghdara dam, which will supply electricity to the mine.

4) Gold and oil: drilling is reportedly underway at a Chinese gold mine in Chah Ab and the final equipment arrived at the Amu Darya oil basin project.

3) Zhao Xing meets with the Haqqanis: Zhao met with Khalil-ur-Rahman Haqqani on Dec 1 before Haqqani was killed Dec 11 in an ISIS-K attack. Zhao also met with his nephew Sirajuddin Haqqani late on Dec 30, days after an NRF attack near Sirajuddin’s ministry.