BEIJING: China will offer the Taliban tariff-free access to its vast construction, energy and consumer sectors, Beijing’s envoy to Afghanistan said, as the ailing resource-rich but diplomatically-isolated regime looks to build up its markets.

President Xi Jinping at a Beijing summit for more than 50 African leaders in September had announced that from December 1 goods entering his country’s $19 trillion economy from “the least developed countries that have diplomatic relations with China” would not be subject to import duties, without giving details.

The policy was then repeated by vice commerce minister Tang Wenhong at a recent press conference in Beijing on the preparations for upcoming China’s annual flagship import expo.

On Friday, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, Lin Jian, confirmed the policy would apply to Afghanistan, adding it would promote mutually beneficial trade and economic cooperation.

Policy will apply to Afghanistan and ‘other least developed states’

The Afghanistan embassy in Beijing did not respond to a request for comment.

Beijing has sought to develop its ties with the Taliban since they took control of Afghanistan in 2021, but like all governments has refrained from formally recognising the group’s rule amid international concern over its human rights record and those of women and girls.

The impoverished country could offer a wealth of mineral resources to boost Beijing’s supply chain security although it risks becoming a haven for militant groups threatening China’s Xinjiang region and huge investments in neighbouring Pakistan.

Selling Afghanistan’s lithium, copper and iron deposits to feed China’s enormous battery and construction industries would help the Taliban prop up their economy, which the UN says has “basically collapsed”, and provide a much-needed revenue stream as the country’s overseas central bank reserves of billions of dollars remain frozen.

Published in Dawn, October 26th, 2024