By hosting a trilateral meeting with Pakistan and Afghanistan (May 20) and engaging bilaterally with their foreign ministers, an economically ascendant and politically assertive, self-confident China has made its statement, emphasising its growing influence in the region.

In his meeting with Afghanistan's acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Beijing (May 23) FM Wang Yi reiterated China's "respect for Afghanistan's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, as well as the independent choices made by the Afghan people".

The interactions and the statement issued after their meeting carried six distinct but significant messages:

China will, as always, support the Afghan government in achieving long-term peace and stability at an early date. Since no country recognises the Taliban regime, the reference to "the Afghan government" underlined a marked departure from its stated policy thus far. It conveys the Chinese pragmatic approach to a party that literally controls entire Afghanistan. China was the first to send an ambassador to Kabul and accredit a Taliban ambassador in Beijing – defying the rest of the world which mostly looks up to Washington for taking such decisions.

Secondly, Beijing is willing to take on new challenges linked to the geopolitical competition. "China is ready to provide support and assistance for Afghanistan's reconstruction, development, and the improvement of people's livelihoods."

This appears to be the readiness to fill the financial/humanitarian........

© The Express Tribune