Taliban delegation visits China

A top-level Taliban delegation is on a two-day visit to China to hold talks with Beijing officials. A nine-member Taliban delegation has met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Issues related to peace process and security in Afghanistan were discussed at the meeting.

A Taliban spokesman said on Wednesday, the delegation, led by Taliban mediator and deputy leader Mullah Baradar Akhand, is visiting China.

He said, the Taliban had made the visit at the invitation of Chinese authorities and that the delegation had held talks with the Chinese special envoy to Afghanistan in addition to the foreign minister.

During the visit, Taliban spokesman Mohammad Naeem said on Twitter that “the current situation in Afghanistan, the peace process and the politics, economy and security issues of the two countries were discussed at the meeting.”

The Taliban delegation assured Beijing that they would not allow anyone to use Afghan soil against China.

Meanwhile, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that China expects the visiting Taliban delegation in Beijing to play a key role in ending the war in Afghanistan and rebuilding the country.

Security in Afghanistan has been steadily declining since the withdrawal of US troops. China also shares a border with Afghanistan. Many crossings in the border area are being occupied by the Taliban. One district after another is also coming under their control. Although peace talks are underway in Qatar, little progress has been made.