China emerges as a major player in Heart of Asia conference, 2016, having its most active role in the efforts of promoting peace, security and prosperity in Afghanistan.
The Chinese officials attending Heart of Asia conference, 2016 in Amritsar, renewed their commitment to providing all possible support to Afghanistan for its better future.
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According to official sources here, China wishes to be on the forefront in enhancing Afghanistan’s connectivity with South and Central Asian countries to boost trade.
China has put great effort into addressing the Afghan issue in recent years, especially in 2016. Last week, China delivered its first batch of military aid to Afghanistan.
Prior to this, multilateral cooperation has already been notable. The Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QCG) of China, the US, Afghanistan and Pakistan was established to promote the Afghan peace process, and an anti-terrorism mechanism which includes China, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Tajikistan has also been proposed. In addition, high-level security talks are frequently held between Beijing and Kabul.
National Security Advisor to the Afghan president Mohammad Hanif Atmar was warmly received by high-level Chinese officials this April. Chinese President Xi Jinpping stressed during a meeting with Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah in May that China firmly supports Afghanistan in fighting terrorism and will continue to provide assistance for the country to strengthen security, adding that China firmly supports the peaceful reconciliation process of Afghanistan and the inclusive process of Afghan-led and Afghan-owned reconciliation, which is a fundamental path for the country to realize long-term peace and stability.
Beijing is now playing a more active and positive role in addressing Kabul’s security issues. China’s security policies in Afghanistan have been shifted from previous defensive strategies to offensive-defensive ones.
China has taken a number of factors into consideration in changing its security policies in Afghanistan.
Instead of relying on other major powers, China has to play a leading role in addressing regional security issues. As a rising power, China needs to establish a regional security cooperative system that meets its own interests. This is of vital importance to consolidating China’s international status.
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