CHINA could join forces with the Taliban in war-torn Afghanistan to seize power in the Middle East as US and NATO troops back down after 20 years of bloodshed, experts have said. Beijing has been waiting in the wings for the right moment to pounce on a trade deal with Kabul by extending its $62 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor into Afghanistan as part of its ambitious Belt and Road Initiative.
Afghanistan has been engulfed by violence since the late 1970s, destroying its infrastructure and economy - but the nation's security is vital for China's global domination under the BRI, which will span 60 countries.
Multiple players are circling to take advantage of the power vacuum and the country faces an uncertain future with Taliban attacks rampant and the threat of civil war looming.
Home News China to ‘prop up Taliban’ in Afghanistan to seize power in Middle East as US & NATO retreat after 20 year ‘forever’ war China to ‘prop up Taliban’ in Afghanistan to seize power in Middle East as US & NATO retreat after 20 year ‘forever’ war 3 hrs ago 7 minute Read 0 Comments
CHINA could join forces with the Taliban in war-torn Afghanistan to seize power in the Middle East as US and NATO troops back down after 20 years of bloodshed, experts have said.
Beijing has been waiting in the wings for the right moment to pounce on a trade deal with Kabul by extending its $62 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor into Afghanistan as part of its ambitious Belt and Road Initiative. China's President Xi Jinping delivers a speech on the 100th anniversary of the party's founding 14 China's President Xi Jinping delivers a speech on the 100th anniversary of the party's foundingCredit: Alamy Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani 14 Afghanistan's President Ashraf GhaniCredit: Reuters All US and NATO troops have left Bagram Air Base after 20 years in Afghanistan 14 All US and NATO troops have left Bagram Air Base after 20 years in AfghanistanCredit: AFP
Afghanistan has been engulfed by violence since the late 1970s, destroying its infrastructure and economy - but the nation's security is vital for China's global domination under the BRI, which will span 60 countries.
Multiple players are circling to take advantage of the power vacuum and the country faces an uncertain future with Taliban attacks rampant and the threat of civil war looming.
It means China wants to assert its dominance in Afghanistan to maintain political stability in the region - and expand its economic interests, Robert Clark, from the Henry Jackson Society, said.
"China has economic interests in Afghan, it is a huge mineral deposit base with zinc and cobalt needed for microchips and under US sanctions China is forced to produce their own microchips," Clark told The Sun Online.
"China is a silent partner. China would also be worried that terror groups could threaten their security." SECURITY THREAT
Muscling in on Afghanistan would give Beijing a strategic foothold in the region with the country acting as a crucial trading hub connecting the Middle East, Central Asia and Europe, boosting China's influence across the world at an estimated cost of $4 trillion.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi confirmed Beijing wants to "substantially" expand its BRI projects into the shattered country and "deepen the dialogue mechanism" between the nations.