Chinese top leader Xi Jinping accepted the credentials of the envoy of Taliban-run Afghanistan in Beijing in a major formalisation of the regime partly constituted by the UN-designated terrorists.

Xi Jinping welcomes Taliban ambassador to China as Kabul-Beijing ties move forward

Recently appointed Chinese ambassador to Afghanistan, Zhao Sheng, presented his credentials to Taliban Prime Minister Mullah Hassan Akhund in the capital Kabul on Wednesday (Sept 13), effectively becoming the first country to establish diplomatic relations after the radical organisation toppled the civilian government in August 2021 and established its rule.

China becomes first country to send envoy to Afghanistan after Taliban takeover

Afghanistan may be one of the poorest nations in the world but it sits on a vast resource of minerals deposits among them most crucial is Lithium. Eyeing these reserves is now China.

Chinese firms explore Lithium projects in Afghanistan

The comments came as China is concerned about Afghanistan becoming a hub for the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), a separatist outfit waging an insurgency in Xinjiang.

China waiting for an opportunity to enter Afghanistan