BEIJING — China on Wednesday laid out a detailed agenda for deepening its involvement in Taliban-Pakistan relations, following a trilateral meeting in Beijing aimed at strengthening political dialogue, economic cooperation and regional security.
Following a trilateral meeting hosted in Beijing on May 21, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the three sides had agreed to strengthen political dialogue, expand economic integration and coordinate efforts to counter terrorism. Wang, a senior Communist Party official and member of the party’s Political Bureau, chaired the session, which was also attended by Taliban Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
While previous statements from Taliban and Islamabad emphasized bilateral diplomatic overtures and security assurances, China’s summary provided a broader, more strategic framework—one that underscores Beijing’s ambitions to anchor itself as a stabilizing force and economic benefactor in South and Central Asia.
The seven-point statement from China emphasized political trust, diplomatic normalization between Taliban and Pakistan, Belt and Road expansion, economic cooperation, counterterrorism coordination, regional stability, and advancing the trilateral dialogue framework.
China said it supports both Taliban and Pakistan in pursuing development paths “suited to their national conditions” and in safeguarding their sovereignty and national dignity. Beijing also called for the early convening of the next formal foreign ministers’ dialogue in Kabul, a move that would mark the sixth round of talks since the format was introduced in 2017.
In one of the meeting’s most concrete developments, Taliban and Pakistan reportedly agreed in principle to resume formal diplomatic relations and exchange ambassadors, according to the Chinese readout—a notable thaw in ties after months of strained relations. China said it would continue to facilitate this rapprochement.
Beijing also emphasized expanding its Belt and Road Initiative in the region, with a renewed push to extend the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) into Afghanistan—an ambition long discussed but slowed by security concerns. Chinese officials stressed the importance of regional connectivity and infrastructure development as a pathway to economic stability.
The meeting included an explicit commitment to jointly combat terrorism, with China reiterating its longstanding concern over what it calls “terrorist forces of concern to each side.” Wang Yi warned against external interference in regional affairs, a veiled reference to Western influence, and called for unified vigilance in preserving sovereignty.
Chinese officials also pledged support for Afghanistan’s reconstruction, including trade and capacity-building assistance, though they stopped short of announcing new funding commitments.
“The goal,” Wang said in the statement, “is to create a sound external environment for the development and revitalization of each side.”
The trilateral meeting comes as Beijing seeks to manage its own security concerns along its western border, especially in Xinjiang, while also increasing its diplomatic capital in regions where the United States has scaled back its direct involvement.
Although the Taliban rule remains internationally unrecognized, Beijing has maintained regular contact with its leaders, prioritizing stability and counterterrorism cooperation over formal recognition.
