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Review of Opportunities and Challenges in China-Afghanistan Relations Post-U.S. Withdrawal

Received: 8 October 2024     Accepted: 31 October 2024     Published: 26 November 2024
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Abstract

The relationship between China and Afghanistan has witnessed significant changes over the years, encompassing various political, economic, and security dimensions. Afghanistan's strategic location as a bridge between Central and South Asia holds particular significance for China, serving as a key transit route for infrastructure projects like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and others. Additionally, Afghanistan's rich mineral reserves, including copper, oil, and lithium, are particularly attractive to China, especially for its technology and electronics manufacturing industries. Therefore, despite these attractions, China seeks to establish peace and stability in Afghanistan to enable the country to serve as a reliable economic and trade partner. However, despite the opportunities present in bilateral relations, the unstable security situation in Afghanistan, especially after the withdrawal of international forces, the presence of regional powers like India, Pakistan, and Iran, and their competition for influence in Afghanistan, along with security concerns, represent significant challenges that could impact bilateral relations. This article uses a descriptive library-based method to address the question: What opportunities and challenges exist in China-Afghanistan relations, and how can both countries manage these challenges to capitalize on opportunities to strengthen bilateral cooperation? It is assumed that China and Afghanistan, by leveraging economic opportunities stemming from Afghanistan's natural resources and joint infrastructure projects, can strengthen their relations, provided both countries manage security challenges and regional competition wisely to ensure the necessary stability for such cooperation.

Published in Journal of Political Science and International Relations (Volume 7, Issue 4)
DOI 10.11648/j.jpsir.20240704.14
Page(s) 114-127
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Economy, Security, China, Foreign Relations, CPEC, Lithium, Taliban

References
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[3] Aziz, Masoud (2018), Afghanistan: Geopolitics of Regional Economic Integration and China's Emergence as a New Facilitator, translated by Sayed Najibullah Mosab, Collection of Articles on China's Foreign Policy Toward Afghanistan, Kabul, Azam Publications.
[4] Blaikie, P. (2022). Afghanistan in China’s strategy: Opportunities and challenges. Global Affairs Review, 10(2), 105-123.
[5] Cordesman, Anthony (26 September 2014), "US strategic vacuum in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and central Asia", Washington DC: CSIS.
[6] Huasheng, Z. (2012), "China and Afghanistan: China’s Interests, Stances, and Perspectives", Centre for Strategic and International Studies. Washington, DC.
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[19] Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. (2023). A Year After Taliban Takeover, What Are China's Plans For Afghanistan?. Retrieved from
[20] (Rah Abrisham, 2024)
[21] Senanayake, Dilan & Prasad, Harsha (2020). Understanding the Dragon’s Entry to South Asia: Revisiting the Regional Security Complex Theory. Torun International Studies, 1(13), 73-91.
[22] Suzlik Tatar, Justina (2017), "China's Changing Stance on Afghanistan", translated by Abdul Ghani Farahi, Journal of Strategic Studies, Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Special Issue on China, No. 37, Kabul.
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  • APA Style

    Acxir, A. S., RahmanZai, S. R. (2024). Review of Opportunities and Challenges in China-Afghanistan Relations Post-U.S. Withdrawal. Journal of Political Science and International Relations, 7(4), 114-127. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jpsir.20240704.14

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    ACS Style

    Acxir, A. S.; RahmanZai, S. R. Review of Opportunities and Challenges in China-Afghanistan Relations Post-U.S. Withdrawal. J. Polit. Sci. Int. Relat. 2024, 7(4), 114-127. doi: 10.11648/j.jpsir.20240704.14

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    AMA Style

    Acxir AS, RahmanZai SR. Review of Opportunities and Challenges in China-Afghanistan Relations Post-U.S. Withdrawal. J Polit Sci Int Relat. 2024;7(4):114-127. doi: 10.11648/j.jpsir.20240704.14

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  • @article{10.11648/j.jpsir.20240704.14,
      author = {Abdul Salaam Acxir and Shams Rahman RahmanZai},
      title = {Review of Opportunities and Challenges in China-Afghanistan Relations Post-U.S. Withdrawal
    },
      journal = {Journal of Political Science and International Relations},
      volume = {7},
      number = {4},
      pages = {114-127},
      doi = {10.11648/j.jpsir.20240704.14},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jpsir.20240704.14},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.jpsir.20240704.14},
      abstract = {The relationship between China and Afghanistan has witnessed significant changes over the years, encompassing various political, economic, and security dimensions. Afghanistan's strategic location as a bridge between Central and South Asia holds particular significance for China, serving as a key transit route for infrastructure projects like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and others. Additionally, Afghanistan's rich mineral reserves, including copper, oil, and lithium, are particularly attractive to China, especially for its technology and electronics manufacturing industries. Therefore, despite these attractions, China seeks to establish peace and stability in Afghanistan to enable the country to serve as a reliable economic and trade partner. However, despite the opportunities present in bilateral relations, the unstable security situation in Afghanistan, especially after the withdrawal of international forces, the presence of regional powers like India, Pakistan, and Iran, and their competition for influence in Afghanistan, along with security concerns, represent significant challenges that could impact bilateral relations. This article uses a descriptive library-based method to address the question: What opportunities and challenges exist in China-Afghanistan relations, and how can both countries manage these challenges to capitalize on opportunities to strengthen bilateral cooperation? It is assumed that China and Afghanistan, by leveraging economic opportunities stemming from Afghanistan's natural resources and joint infrastructure projects, can strengthen their relations, provided both countries manage security challenges and regional competition wisely to ensure the necessary stability for such cooperation.
    },
     year = {2024}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
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    AU  - Abdul Salaam Acxir
    AU  - Shams Rahman RahmanZai
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    JO  - Journal of Political Science and International Relations
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    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jpsir.20240704.14
    AB  - The relationship between China and Afghanistan has witnessed significant changes over the years, encompassing various political, economic, and security dimensions. Afghanistan's strategic location as a bridge between Central and South Asia holds particular significance for China, serving as a key transit route for infrastructure projects like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and others. Additionally, Afghanistan's rich mineral reserves, including copper, oil, and lithium, are particularly attractive to China, especially for its technology and electronics manufacturing industries. Therefore, despite these attractions, China seeks to establish peace and stability in Afghanistan to enable the country to serve as a reliable economic and trade partner. However, despite the opportunities present in bilateral relations, the unstable security situation in Afghanistan, especially after the withdrawal of international forces, the presence of regional powers like India, Pakistan, and Iran, and their competition for influence in Afghanistan, along with security concerns, represent significant challenges that could impact bilateral relations. This article uses a descriptive library-based method to address the question: What opportunities and challenges exist in China-Afghanistan relations, and how can both countries manage these challenges to capitalize on opportunities to strengthen bilateral cooperation? It is assumed that China and Afghanistan, by leveraging economic opportunities stemming from Afghanistan's natural resources and joint infrastructure projects, can strengthen their relations, provided both countries manage security challenges and regional competition wisely to ensure the necessary stability for such cooperation.
    
    VL  - 7
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