Naeem Wardak, the Taliban’s deputy foreign minister, told China’s special envoy for Afghanistan, Yue Xiaoyong, that Pakistan has “tested the Taliban administration’s patience” over the past four years, according to a Taliban foreign ministry's statement.
During their meeting in Kabul, the two sides discussed bilateral relations and ongoing tensions between the Taliban and Pakistan. The ministry quoted Wardak as saying that while the Taliban remains committed to resolving disputes through dialogue, Pakistan’s actions over the past four years have forced Kabul to “respond in kind.”
The Taliban statement said Yue Xiaoyong told Wardak that Beijing seeks to play a constructive role in easing disputes between the Taliban and Pakistan. The Chinese envoy also praised Qatar and Türkiye’s mediation efforts, which helped the two neighbours reach a recent ceasefire agreement.
Wardak thanked China for its continued cooperation and support, citing “long-standing ties and shared interests” between the two countries. He reaffirmed that the Taliban administration seeks engagement with all nations on the basis of mutual respect, and reiterated that Afghan territory would not be used to threaten any other country.
According to the ministry, Yue Xiaoyong said China aims to build long-term relations with the Taliban administration grounded in respect and constructive engagement.
Over the past four years, China has deepened its ties with the Taliban, officially handing over the Afghan embassy in Beijing to the group’s representatives and maintaining regular diplomatic contact. At the same time, Beijing remains a strategic ally of Pakistan, a factor that has placed it in a delicate position amid escalating border tensions between Islamabad and Kabul.
Analysts say Beijing views the current rift between Pakistan and the Taliban as harmful to its broader regional interests, particularly its plans to expand trade and transit routes across South Asia under the Belt and Road Initiative.
