China And The Taliban: A Road To Recognition? Projecting Beijing’s Footprint In Afghanistan For 2024-25

File photo of Bilal Karimi handing over a copy of his credentials as Ambassador of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan to China to Hong Li, the Director General of protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, in December 2023. ( Image Source :mfa.gov.af )

After Taliban's return to Kabul in August 2021, Beijing emerged as the leading country to make efforts towards integrating the new rulers of Afghanistan into the international order, with an intent to alter their legal status. By accepting the Taliban’s new envoy in Beijing, the Chinese premier did not lose any time to formally accept ambassadorial credentials from the Taliban’s representative, making it the first state to do so. This formal engagement could garner recognition,