China-Afghanistan relations: Too big to fail: China eyes Afghanistan investment amid fears of state collapse

Pakistan -- Since rolling into Kabul in August and cementing control over the rest of Afghanistan, the Taliban have been in a frenetic round of diplomatic talks to end the country's economic and

U.S. and Western sanctions have destroyed the economy, which, combined with a drought, has plungeparts of the country into near starvation in the midst of winter. The Taliban have placed their hopes of salvation on Pakistan, which has supported the movement since its origin in the 1990s, and on China, which has long-standing ties to Pakistan and an ambiguous, transactional relationship with whichever government reigns in Kabul.

Beijing has so far refused to recognize the Taliban government, known as the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, though semi-secret negotiations continue via its embassy in Kabul. In August, following the Taliban takeover, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said it was "willing to continue to develop ... friendly and cooperative relations with Afghanistan." In September, China pledged a modest $31 million in food, medicine, COVID-19 vaccines and other aid. About half has been disbursed, according to the ministry of refugees in Kabul. Pakistan has pledged $28 million. Bilal Karimi, a Taliban spokesman at the ministry of information, enigmatically described China's relations with the new Islamic Emirate as "mysterious," referring to the close but secretive discussions that are going on between Chinese officials and the IEA via Beijing's Kabul embassy, with recognition being one of the key issues.

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