China cooperate with Taliban to control over 'Rare Earths' in Afghanistan

Beijing/Kabul: A US analyst has warned that China could play a cooperative role with the Taliban to control trillions of dollars worth of ‘Rare Earth Minerals’ in Afghanistan. China is already believed to have more than 30 per cent of the world’s Rare Earth Minerals. If it gains control over Afghanistan’s reserves, China could use them to put pressure on the international community.

China had indicated its recognition of the Taliban regime, while the international community expressed grave concern after the Taliban took control of Afghanistan. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said China was keen to maintain friendly and cooperative relations with the new regime in Afghanistan. Against this backdrop, discussions have begun on China’s intentions to recognize the Taliban, which has led to the issue of reserves of ‘Rare Earth Minerals’.

According to US media reports, Afghanistan has about one to three trillion dollars’ worth of rare earth minerals. Ahmed Shah Katawazai, a former Afghan diplomat at the US embassy, has also confirmed this. Rare Earth Minerals in Afghanistan include lanthanum, cerium, neodymium and lithium. These rare earth minerals are considered highly sensitive as they are used in electronics, defence and space.

Shamaila Khan warned that if China is to form a front with the Taliban to gain control of Afghanistan’s rare mineral reserves, international pressure is needed. This is necessary to ensure that international regulations are not violated. Suppose the Taliban and China are going to use Afghanistan’s minerals for mutual benefit. In that case, it has to be ensured that everything, including human rights, is properly respected, and that the international community must take the initiative’. Shamaila Khan is a director at Alliance Bernstein, a global asset management company.

China has previously been accused of using ‘Rare Earth Minerals’ as a weapon against Japan. Even in the US-China trade war, the Chinese authorities had hinted at ‘Rare Earth Minerals’ as a weapon against the US. Against this backdrop, China’s takeover of minerals in Afghanistan could be warning bells for the international community. Therefore, the warning given by the American analyst is noteworthy.

On the one hand, while China is taking steps to achieve its goals by recognizing the Taliban, the US media claims that Afghanistan could undermine Chinese ambitions. According to a Bloomberg report, increasing involvement in Afghanistan and cooperating with the Taliban regime could be dangerous for China’s Belt and Road Initiative. If the Taliban stabilizes in Afghanistan, terrorist groups in Pakistan will gain strength, and the number of terrorist attacks in Pakistan will increase.

Bloomberg has said the attack on Chinese workers at an energy project in Pakistan a few months ago, and some previous attempts confirm this. China has invested more than $60 billion in Pakistan under the Belt and Road Initiative. At the same time, under the Belt and Road Initiative, Chinese banks have disbursed more than $282 billion in loans worldwide. A US website claims in its article that if Pakistan becomes unstable, the foundations of China’s Belt and Road Initiative could be shaken, and the entire plan could collapse.