BEIJING, China — China will offer the Taliban tariff-free access to its vast construction, energy and consumer sectors, Beijing’s envoy to Afghanistan said on Thursday, as the ailing resource-rich but diplomatically-isolated regime looks to build up its markets.
“China will offer Afghanistan zero-tariff treatment for 100% tariff lines,” Zhao Xing, Chinese ambassador to Afghanistan, wrote on his official X account late on Thursday, above a photo of him meeting acting deputy prime minister Abdul Kabir.
The country exported no commodities to China last year, the data shows, but Zhao has regularly posted photos of him meeting Taliban officials responsible for mining, petroleum, trade and regional connectivity since his appointment last September.
“In the Horn of Africa, China’s Special Envoy Xue Bing said that the best way to resolve security and terrorism challenges is through economic development.
I think they are bringing that same mindset to Afghanistan,” said Eric Orlander, co-founder of the China-Global South Project.
Persons:
Zhao Xing, Abdul Kabir, Zhao, Xue Bing, ”, Eric Orlander
Organizations:
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Locations:
BEIJING, China, Afghanistan, Beijing, Xinjiang, Pakistan, of Africa