China-Afghanistan Relations: Implications for China in the Post-US Military Exit from Afghanistan

Abstract

The post-US military exit from Afghanistan has produced a new opening for Chineseengagement in Afghanistan. Two aspects, security concerns and economic opportunities to thiseffect, are significant and will determine the contours of paradigm that will guide China’s newengagement in Afghanistan. Two things will determine the stability in the region: China’sassessment of the implications and policy response to fill in the vacuum, and, secondly, howChina balances its security apprehensions with economic openings. Otherwise, chaos mightspell not only in its western border but the region in its backyard might slide to chaos and willenhance Chinese security concerns. The purpose of the research is to evaluate the nature ofsecurity concerns and their impact on Beijing’s economic interests. ‘Great Cohesive Power’framework has been employed to explain China’s New Neighborhood Diplomacy that is aimedby Beijing to balance between security concerns and economic interests.