China, Afghanistan's Taliban forging a closer relationship, former diplomat says

Ambassador Roya Rahmani says China and Afghanistan are evolving a closer relationship following Biden's withdrawal of troops last year.

She noted that China was one of the countries that accepted the Taliban diplomatically and said the Afghan embassy in China was "to be occupied," by representatives of the Taliban. Rahmani said Beijing's main concern was the spread of extremism crossing in from the border. She noted that China’s relationship "is probably less for the transactions and more for their concern than worry because they are also very cognizant of the potential threat of the spread of extremism that can emanate from Afghanistan. They are very nervous about it, and this is what defines their relationship. So it's a pull and push, and they want to make sure that they keep them in an arm's length to ensure that no big threat is facing them through the Xinjang region."