This essay is essentially aimed at giving an in-depght political, historical and economic insight into the Sino-Afghan time-tested and cordial relations. In the meantime; this paper underscores the importance of Sino-Afghan bilatral relations and economic cooperation..
Following the political changes in late 2001, and establishment of a democratic state based on the will of people, Afghanistan rapidly recovered its lost relation with most of the world nations. According to foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, it regards the regional, particularly, the neighbouring countries as the most important countries, and pursues a policy of establishing relations with other nations based on mutal respect and understanding. The People’s Republic of China, as a booming regional economic power and meanwhile a neighbour to Afghanistan, can play a pivotal role to help Afghanistan overcome the legacy of decades of devastating war. Meantimes; Afghanistan can offer China the easiest transportation route for exploitation of energy and mineral resources in the Central Asian countries. The geo-economic significance of Afghanistan as well as Chinese huge investments in Afghanistan should be a impulse for both countries to further expand relations and economic cooperations.
Historical Background of Afghanistan: Located approximatly in centre of Asia bordering with Pakistan, Iran, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turmenistan and the People's Republic of China, Afghanistan has been at a junction of the land routes from China and India to the West and a meeting place of numerous and dynamic nations and cultures. Described by historian Arnold Toynbee as a "roundabout of the ancient world", It has been a major centre through which artistic styles, religious forms, and political ideas radiated in all directions. The importance of Afghanistan's geographical positions as the crossroads to various directions has seduced global occupying powers from Alexandar the Great attempting to go to the Central Asia, Mongols on route to India, the Great Britain intenting to extend its Central Asia and the Former Soviet Union wanting to taste the waters of Indian oceans. In the late 19th century, Afghanistan became a buffer state in "The Great Game" played between the British Indian Empire and Russian Empire. However; none of the occupying powers could permanently capture Afghanistan but they faced resistance and struggle by the public.
On August 19, 1919, following the third Anglo-Afghan war, the country regained full independence from the United Kingdom over its foreign affairs.
It is also note worthy that throughout the history, Afghanistan has been the birthplace of several prominent Persian poets namely Mawlana Jalaluddin Mohammad Balkhi Rumi, Khwaja Abdullah Ansari, Naser Khesrow Balkhi and so many others. These Persian poets were particularly from tenth to fifteenth centuries. Moreover; There were also scholars in many disciplines like languages, natural sciences, medicine, religion and astronomy born in this land, now known as Afghanistan.
Contemporary Afghanistan
Ever since the demise of Taliban, constituted by Afghan rebellious forces supported by of international terrorist networks, in 2001, Afghanistan has made remarkable progress in different areas from politics to social and economic developments. Subsequent to the collapse of the mentioned regime, Afghan political groups came together under the auspice of the United Nations in Bonn, Germany on December 05 2001 forming an interim government to lead Afghanistan towards formation of democratic institutions i.e. elections, parliaments, etc. The Bonn Agreement elected Hamid Karzai as President of Interim Administration.
This political progress was followed by successful conclusion of the Constitutional Loya Jirga in January 2004 and its endorsement as well as the holding of presidential elections in October was another major political development in Afghanistan during 2004, although it was postponed twice. The result of elections declared President Hamid Karzai as the winner with 55.4% votes. The parliamentary elections was held on 18 September 2005 which marked the end of the Bonn Agreement process. The parliamentary elections is regarded as a milestone in the contemporary Afghanistan’s history which led to completion of three branches of state in Afghanistan. Afghanistan is now a republic with three branches of government i.e. Executive, Legislative and Judiciary powers.
Sino-Afghan Political Relations
The fall of the Taliban in October 2001 opened a new chapter in Afghanistan's foreign relations. Afghanistan is now an active member of the international community, and has diplomatic relations with countries from around the world. In December 2002, the six nations including the People's Republic of China that borders Afghanistan signed a 'Good Neighbor' Declaration, in which they pledged to respect Afghanistan's independence and territorial integrity.
Afghanistan and the People's Republic of China enjoy time-tested relations. The two countries have never had any dispute since the inception of bilateral relations, something that could perhaps be unprecedented in realm of international relations. The traditionally friendly relation between the two countries can be traced in the era of Silk Road. In 1950, Afghanistan recognized China as an independent state subsequent to its founding in 1949. However; the formal diplomatic relations between the two countries were established five years later. The non-aligned conference at Bandung in 1955 further consolidated the relations between China and Afghanistan. In August 1960, an Afghan-Chinese treaty of friendship and non-aggression was signed which was followed by Peking Treaty of formal demarcation of 78 km Afghan-Chinese boundary.
In October 1957, for the first time, late former Prime Minister Daud Khan of Afghanistan, during the then Kingdom of late Mohammad Zahir Shah paid an official visit under China's invitation and discussed mutual ties. During his meetings with Chairman Mao Zedong and other Chinese high-ranking officials. In 1964, the official state visits promoted to higher stage and late King Mohammad Zahir Shah accompanied by Afghan Queen visited China. In turn, the Chinese then premier Zhou Enlai and Vice Premier He Long made an official visit to Afghanistan in January 1957. This was the first ever official Chinese visit to Afghanistan in the history of Sino-Afghan relations. This historically significant visit is believed to have enhanced mutual understanding and laid a solid foundation for the development of friendly relation between Afghanistan and China.
Following the Soviet Union invasion on December 27, 1979, the Chinese government condemned the armed incursion and subsequently did not recognize the puppet government installed by Moscow. However; after the collapse of so-called Former Soviet Union backed government and victory of Afghanistan guerrilla, the relation between the "Islamic State of Afghanistan" and China was normalized.
With the demise of the Taliban regime and establishment of interim government under Chairman Karzai, The Chinese government called it as an important step forward peace in Afghanistan. The Chinese Foreign Ministry in a note stated "The Chinese government regards the establishment of the Afghan Interim government as an important step towards lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan. China sincerely hopes all parties in Afghanistan will give priority to the country's needs and to peace, earnestly implement the agreement, and realize national reconciliation so as to start national reconstruction and restore peace and tranquility to the country as soon as possible."
After these political changes in Afghanistan, President Hamid Karzai visited China in January 2002. The president talked on highly important mutual matters with Chinese leaders including the Chinese then President Jian Zemin and Premier Zhu Rongji. This visit was followed by another presidential trip in 2006 that gave a fillip to consolidation of ties in various areas. During the visit several economic treaties were signed between the two countries. Speaking at the prestigious BeijingUniversity, President Hamid Karzai expressed ambition to emulate "America's democracy and China's economic success".
On February 2006, a delegation of Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China paid a visit to Afghanistan and officially reopened its embassy in Kabul. And several high-ranking Afghan and Chinese officials have exchanged official visits and cooperation in diverse areas have rapidly recovered. From the Chinese side Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi visited Afghanistan on 14 November 2007. Yang Jiechi talked to Afghan high-ranking state officials including President Hamid Karzai and Foreign Minister Rangeen Dadfar Spanta.
Taking into account the reality that Afghanistan and China have experienced a time-tested and traditional friendly relations in all aspects, this cordial relation can be further consolidated. As a post-war country, Afghanistan can learn from Chinese successful experience in various areas particularly in terms of economic development.
Sino-Afghan Economic Relations
Once this region including Afghanistan stood at the centre of world economy, epitomized by the "Silk Road" which served as the main economic and trade links between the East and West. Due to the importance of the Silk Road and more importantly the geostrategic location, Afghanistan has played an integral role as the facilitator of economic cooperation and integration across the Asian countries including China throughout the history.
Likewise any other aspects of Sino-Afghan relations, economic cooperation and trade relations date back to the era of "Silk Road". There have been a lot of trade exchanges and economic cooperation between China and Afghanistan all through the history. However; a formal treaty of economic and technical cooperation was signed during a visit of Late Afghan King to China in 1964. This economic treaty opened a new chapter of trade and economic cooperation between the two countries in various areas.
In addition to the People's Republic of China's engagement in post-conflict economic reconstruction of Afghanistan, the trade between the two countries have steadily increased and China has emerged to be one of the main exporters to Afghanistan over the past seven years. The Sino-Afghan trade has already reachedover $317. Currently there are several Chinese companies working in diverse areas of reconstruction both being contracted by the government of Afghanistan and the donors. Mainly Chinese companies are engaged in road construction as well as mine extraction and communication projects. Recently in 2007, China's Metallurgical group won a tend to launch a $3.5 billion project to develop Afghanistan's Aynak copper mine. This copper mine is believed to be one of the biggest undeveloped copper field in the world. The project is the far largest international investment in Afghanistan's history and involves not only mining but also the construction of a $500 million electrical plant and a railway from Tajikistan to Pakistan to support exploration. The mine will be in full operation in around six years. The project will provide employment for more 10,000 Afghans. Afghanistan is endowed with natural resources, including extensive deposits of natural gas, petroleum, coal, copper, chromite, talc, barites, sulfur, lead, zinc, iron ore, salt, and precious and semiprecious stones. Unfortunately, ongoing instability in certain areas of the country, remote and rugged terrain, and an inadequate infrastructure and transportation network have made mining these resources difficult, and there have been few serious attempts to further explore or exploit them.
Taking into account these resources and the Chinese interest as well as expertise in mine extraction and exploitation, Afghanistan and China can further strengthen economic cooperation by developing Afghanistan's untouched mineral resources for the benefit of both countries.
