China’s special envoy for Afghanistan, Yue Xiaoyong, met with European Union officials this week to discuss the evolving situation in Afghanistan, highlighting efforts for the country’s reconstruction amid ongoing political, economic, and humanitarian crises.

Yue met with Tomas Niklasson, the EU’s special envoy for Afghanistan, and the bloc’s Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific. 

Following the meeting, Yue posted on X, that both sides stressed the need for “continuous engagement” and called for increased international attention to Afghanistan’s rebuilding efforts.

Beijing has emerged as a critical partner of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan over the past three years and China’s growing influence in Afghanistan has the potential to foster increased cooperation, promote regional integration, and effectively tackle various obstacles, including security challenges. 

Since the rise of the Islamic Emirate, China has actively sought engagement with Afghanistan, demonstrating its commitment to supporting the country’s reconstruction and development, The Diplomat reported recently, adding that Chinese enterprises have displayed a keen interest in investing in Afghanistan.

Last week however, China’s Premier Li Qiang called on the Islamic Emirate to adopt “moderate policies” and form an inclusive government.

According to a joint statement issued by Li and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the two officials also emphasized the need to prevent the use of Afghanistan’s soil against its neighbors and called for an effective and measurable fight against terrorism in Afghanistan.

At the time, Li had been in Islamabad for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization meeting.

Li and Sharif also called for the strengthening of anti-terrorism cooperation on a bilateral and multilateral level and called on the Islamic Emirate government to take concrete and verifiable measures to eliminate terrorist groups active in this country.

The two leaders also emphasized the importance of strengthening communication and coordination regarding the situation in Afghanistan and called for “coordinated efforts of the international community to encourage the Islamic Emirate to establish an inclusive political framework and implement moderate policies.”

The two countries agreed to play a constructive role in supporting the sustainable development of Afghanistan and its integration into the international community.