China’s Afghanistan policy

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China’s Afghanistan policy
Dr Maleeha Lodhi (Geopolitics) / 2 January 2014

Beijing wants an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process

As part of its more assertive Asian diplomacy, China is playing an increasingly active role in Afghanistan. In the past two years it has also raised the profile of its diplomatic and economic engagement. This marks a departure from its previous low-key posture.
China has a fundamental interest in Afghanistan’s peace and stability. It is the only major power with an immediate border with Afghanistan. China’s Afghan policy has been influenced in recent years by the security imperative of protecting its border regions, particularly Xinjiang province, and to contain the separatist activities of the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), which has links with militant groups fighting in Afghanistan.