A Chinese researcher said the Taliban are unwilling to fully meet Beijing’s demands regarding the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, highlighting ongoing security concerns in Afghanistan.
Liu Zongyi, director of the Centre of South Asian Studies at the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, made the remarks in an interview with Guancha after a recent visit to Afghanistan.
Liu said the East Turkestan Islamic Movement had pledged allegiance to the Taliban and maintained ties with the group. He said the Taliban were reluctant to act against the group due to factors including shared history, religious beliefs, tribal traditions and social ties.
He described security concerns, particularly those related to the group, as one of the most sensitive issues in China’s engagement with the Taliban.
Liu said Taliban officials claim the group is under their control but have not fully addressed China’s concerns.
He warned that several militant organisations remain active in Afghanistan, including the Islamic State group’s regional affiliate, the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and the Baloch Liberation Army.
Liu said his visit to Kabul was at the invitation of Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. During his four-day stay, he held multiple meetings with Taliban Foreign Ministry officials and others.
Taliban seek Chinese investment
Liu said Taliban officials repeatedly expressed hope for increased Chinese investment in Afghanistan.
He said the Taliban aim to use economic cooperation as a basis for normalising relations with China, Central Asia and other countries and regions.
He added that Taliban officials expressed willingness to establish normal diplomatic relations with any country willing to engage with them and said past grievances would not be pursued.
Drug cultivation continues
Liu said drug cultivation in Afghanistan continues despite Taliban claims to have curbed it.
He said Afghanistan’s economy currently relies mainly on agriculture, livestock and international aid.
While US and Western aid has declined significantly, support from the World Bank and the United Nations continues, with substantial funds reportedly reaching Kabul each month to sustain basic livelihoods.
Liu said Afghanistan’s economy has shown steady improvement since the Taliban returned to power but has not yet reached the levels seen before 2021.
Investment challenges
He said challenges including lack of funding, limited technology, international isolation and weak governance capacity continue to hinder Afghanistan’s economic stability.
Liu added that many countries remain reluctant to invest in Afghanistan, citing ongoing US financial sanctions as a key reason.
He said this makes foreign investment difficult and limits the ability to transfer profits, even when investment occurs.
He also said security concerns and the presence of militant groups remain major obstacles to improving the investment climate.
China’s limited financial support
Liu also recounted comments made by a Taliban Foreign Ministry official, who compared Chinese aid unfavourably with that provided by the United States and the European Union.
He said the Chinese side responded that Afghanistan’s current challenges were not caused by China and that its assistance is based on humanitarian considerations.
Liu did not name the official but said the remarks were not repeated after the response.
The report also cited Chinese observers familiar with the region as saying Afghan negotiators are highly skilled in persuasion and bargaining.
It added that despite nearly two decades of US involvement and about $2 trillion in spending, Afghanistan saw limited infrastructure development, including a lack of adequate roads.
