A Taliban delegation, comprised of nine high-level members, paid a two-day visit to China. The delegation was received by the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in the northern Chinese city of Tianjin. It was reported that the peace process and security issues in the country were the main points discussed during the meeting.
According to the statement issued by the Chinese Foreign Ministry following the meeting, Foreign Minister Wang told the Taliban representatives that the group is expected to assume a significant role “in the process of peaceful reconciliation and reconstruction in Afghanistan.”
Wang Yi also delivered his hope that the Taliban would suppress the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, referring to a group in the Xinjian region in China’s far east, considered by China as a “direct threat to its national security.”
Meanwhile, Taliban spokesperson Mohammed Naeem commented on the China visit through a message posted on Twitter. In his post, Naeem said, “Politics, economy, and issues related to the security of both countries and the current situation of Afghanistan as well as the peace process were discussed in the meetings.”
Stressing that the visit came upon an invitation from Chinese authorities, Naeem stated that the delegation is led by the Taliban negotiator and deputy leader Mullah Baradar Akhund. According to his remarks, the visiting delegation reassured China that no one will be able to use Afghan territory against China. In response, China highlighted its commitment to maintain its support to the Afghan people and assist the process that could resolve problems and restore peace in the country without interfering in Afghan affairs, the Taliban spokesperson added.
The visit is considered as part of the group’s efforts to cement its recognition at the international level while violence escalates in Afghanistan. In this context, it is known that the Taliban has a political office in Qatar, which is the country that plays a mediatory role in peace talks, and that a Taliban delegation went to Iran to hold a meeting with an Afghan government delegation earlier this month.
