Afghanistan becomes the new foothold of the authoritarian axis: Beijing accelerates its tools of influence in Kabul in response to the stronger U.S. and allied presence in Southeast Asia

On August 20, 2025, in Kabul, the 6th trilateral dialogue of the Foreign Ministers of China, Afghanistan, and Pakistan took place, as a result of which the heads of the foreign ministries of the three countries agreed to extend the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan.

In addition to integrating the Taliban-controlled country into the Chinese infrastructure project, which is one of the main components of the Belt and Road Initiative, the parties to the agreement committed to strengthening cooperation in the fields of healthcare, education, culture, as well as in combating terrorism and the illegal drug trade.

On the same day, China's top diplomat met with other high-ranking Taliban officials to discuss economic cooperation, the development of natural resources, and security issues.