Taliban Officials Visit Beijing Seeking Economic Cooperation with China

"We will hold investment talks and have good bilateral relations with China," Afghan Industry and Commerce Minister Nooruddin Azizi told AFP on the sidelines of the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing on October 18.

The Taliban government has not been officially recognized by any country since the US withdrew its troops from Afghanistan in August 2021. However, Kabul has maintained diplomatic relations with Beijing.

Afghanistan's Minister of Industry and Commerce Nooruddin Azizi

Mr Azizi has been invited by Beijing to attend a summit this week to mark the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative.

"We have signed (a large number of) projects with China," Azizi was quoted by AFP as saying. He also mentioned certain "big projects", including the Mes Aynak copper mine and the Qashqari oil field.

“China is more interested in Afghanistan’s development than any other country. Afghanistan offers a great opportunity,” Azizi stressed, citing Afghanistan’s mining and agricultural sectors.

According to Mr. Azizi, discussions for Afghanistan to join the Belt and Road as an official member are ongoing.

Speaking at a press conference on October 18, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that China signed business deals worth $97.2 billion with other countries at this week's Belt and Road Forum, which was attended by representatives from more than 130 countries.

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