Recently, the Afghan Taliban** held a secret meeting and held secret consultations with 11 neighboring countries. The holding of this meeting shows that Atta** understands China's concern about the future of Afghanistan and takes this opportunity to make commitments to its neighbors. Atta** hosted the RCI meeting, inviting representatives and ambassadors from 11 neighbouring and regional countries to Kabul. The topics of the meeting covered a wide range of topics, including promoting interaction between regional countries and the Taliban**, strengthening coordination of regional cooperation, promoting the soft and hard connection of regional economic development, and calling for the lifting of unilateral sanctions against Afghanistan. Participating countries included China, India, Russia, Pakistan, Turkey, Iran, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Indonesia and Kyrgyzstan. The meeting marked the first time that the Taliban had hosted a regional conference in Kabul and was attended by ambassadors and special representatives of neighbouring and regional countries.
Afghan Interim Foreign Minister Mottaki delivered a speech at the meeting, in which he stressed the need for countries to strengthen positive interaction with Afghanistan and called for taking advantage of Afghanistan's emerging opportunities to promote regional development. He also highlighted the Taliban's current "economy-centric foreign policy" and the positive developments that have been made in ** and transit since the Taliban took over Afghanistan. He hoped that through mechanisms such as the ministerial meeting of Afghanistan's neighboring countries and the Moscow format, regional consensus could be reached and issues of common interest could be resolved.
While it is true that the Taliban urgently need the recognition and support of the international community, they also face many challenges. The Taliban need to demonstrate the ability and willingness to be qualified at multiple levels in order to win full international recognition. First, they must ensure a secure environment in the country, which is a prerequisite for any cooperation. China and other neighboring countries do not want to see their investments fall into a volatile region. Second, the Taliban should take a positive approach to human rights issues. The international community is particularly concerned about the rights and interests of women and minorities in Afghanistan, and the Taliban need to demonstrate flexibility and inclusiveness in women's education, work, and more. If substantial progress can be made in ensuring security, respecting human rights, strengthening economic cooperation, and receiving international assistance, the Taliban** will further alleviate the doubts of the international community.
As an important neighbor of China's western region, Afghanistan is of great significance to China. In the past year, China has established initial contacts with the Afghan Taliban** and actively promoted dialogue and cooperation between China and Afghanistan. China's ambassador to Afghanistan, Zhao Xing, took office in September last year, becoming the first country to formally appoint an ambassador since the Taliban took power. China also invited representatives of the Taliban regime to the Belt and Road Forum in October last year, the first time the Taliban regime has participated in a high-level international multilateral conference since it came to power. In addition, China also accepted Afghanistan's temporary ** ambassador, becoming the first country to accept an ambassador from Afghanistan after the Taliban seized power in August 2021.
Although China and other countries have not officially recognized Taliban-led Afghanistan**, China*** has shown the Taliban regime a clear path. China hopes that Afghanistan will build an open and inclusive political structure, implement moderate and prudent domestic and foreign policies, resolutely and forcefully combat terrorist forces, live amicably and integrate into the international community. China has always believed that Afghanistan should not be excluded from the international community, and believes that the recognition of Afghanistan by the international community will come naturally as the concerns of all parties are more forcefully addressed.
By holding secret meetings to consult with neighbouring countries, Atta** demonstrated their desire to achieve stability and development in Afghanistan through regional cooperation. However, the Taliban** face a number of challenges, including ensuring internal security, addressing human rights issues, and gaining international recognition. As an important neighbor of Afghanistan, China has been actively promoting engagement and cooperation with the Taliban regime, and hopes that Afghanistan can achieve an open and inclusive political structure, combat terrorist forces, and integrate into the international community. Through active participation and active influence, China is expected to play an important role in Afghanistan and contribute to regional stability and development.