Mawlavi Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, arrived in China on an official visit aimed at strengthening bilateral and regional cooperation, Afghan and Chinese sources confirmed on Monday.

During his visit, Minister Muttaqi is scheduled to meet with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to discuss expanding political, economic, and trade ties between the two countries. The visit reflects growing engagement between Kabul and Beijing following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.

In a key highlight of the visit, Muttaqi will also participate in a trilateral meeting with the foreign ministers of China and Pakistan. The gathering is expected to address regional cooperation, connectivity, and security, with an emphasis on shared interests among the three neighboring nations.

The Afghan Foreign Ministry has expressed hope that the visit will lead to concrete outcomes in areas such as trade, investment, and regional stability. Officials in Kabul say such high-level diplomacy is crucial for Afghanistan’s integration into regional frameworks and economic corridors.

China has maintained diplomatic ties with the Islamic Emirate, particularly emphasizing the need for stability in Afghanistan as it pursues its Belt and Road Initiative and regional security goals. Beijing has also voiced interest in Afghanistan’s mineral resources and its strategic location at the heart of Central and South Asia.

The outcome of the visit may pave the way for deeper cooperation in infrastructure, trade logistics, and counterterrorism efforts in a region facing complex geopolitical dynamics. (ILKHA)