The Afghanistan-China Border: A Geopolitical Oddity

Afghanistan and China share a 74km (46-mile) border along the remote Wakhan Corridor, a narrow and inhospitable strip of land that is barely accessible for most of the year due to its high altitude, extreme weather, and lack of roads. The Wakhan Corridor is a 217-mile-long and less than 9-mile-wide panhandle in Afghanistan, extending from the far northeastern Afghan province of Badakhshan to China's Xinjiang region. The border between the two countries is characterised by unstable slate rock with constant slippages and is marked by a barbed wire fence. The corridor has served as a buffer zone between empires and nations and holds strategic importance for both Afghanistan and China.

The Wakhan Corridor is a 46-mile border between Afghanistan and China

Afghanistan and China share a 46-mile border along the remote Wakhan Corridor, a narrow strip of land nestled in the northeastern Afghan province of Badakhshan. This corridor, a buffer zone between the British and Russian Empires, stretches about 350 kilometres, connecting Afghanistan to China's Xinjiang province and separating Tajikistan from Pakistan.

The Wakhan Corridor, a geopolitical creation of the Great Game between the British and Russian Empires in the 19th century, is characterised by its rugged terrain and high mountain valleys. The corridor is bordered by the Pamir River and Lake Zorkul to the north and the Hindu Kush and Karakoram mountain ranges to the south. The eastern end of the corridor forks into two prongs, forming a 92-kilometre boundary between Afghanistan and China.

Historically, the Wakhan Corridor has served as a vital trade route, connecting East, South, and Central Asia. Travellers, including Marco Polo, have traversed this route for centuries. The corridor holds cultural significance, with a rich Buddhist history and influences from Alexander the Great. The region is inhabited by various ethnic groups, including the Wakhi, Kyrgyz, and Pamiri people, who lead pastoral and agricultural lifestyles.

Despite its remote location, the Wakhan Corridor has not been immune to geopolitical tensions and conflicts. In recent years, it has been the subject of discussions between China and Afghanistan regarding the potential opening of the corridor to enhance trade ties. Additionally, there have been security concerns due to its proximity to unstable regions, such as Xinjiang in China and the presence of extremist groups.

The Wakhan Corridor, with its breathtaking landscapes and cultural significance, stands as a testament to the complex geopolitical dynamics and historical trade connections between Afghanistan and its neighbouring regions.

The Wakhjir Pass is the only access point at the border

The Wakhjir Pass is situated at a high altitude of around 4,900 metres (16,000 feet) above sea level. The pass is known for its challenging terrain and is inaccessible for a significant part of the year due to harsh weather conditions. Even during the accessible months, the pass can only be irregularly traversed. The lack of a proper road on the Afghan side further adds to the difficulty of crossing.

Historically, the Wakhjir Pass served as a vital trade route and was part of the ancient Silk Road. Travellers, merchants, and explorers, including Marco Polo, are believed to have crossed this pass. However, in modern times, the pass has seen limited usage due to the challenging conditions and the presence of alternative routes.

Despite its historical significance, the Wakhjir Pass remains a remote and isolated border crossing between Afghanistan and China. The challenging geography and limited infrastructure make it a less desirable option for trade and travel compared to other routes.

China has economic interests in stability at its Afghan border

China shares a 74km border with Afghanistan, along the remote Wakhan Corridor. This border is inaccessible for most of the year due to its high altitude, extreme weather, and lack of roads.

China has long sought to reach agreements with the Taliban, largely focused on the question of their ties with Uyghur groups. Beijing has offered "sizeable investments in energy and infrastructure projects" in exchange for peace. The Taliban has pledged not to interfere in China's "internal affairs", and not to allow any forces to engage in acts detrimental to neighbouring countries.

China's major investments in Afghanistan, the Aynak copper mine and the Amu Darya energy projects, have been in stasis for many years due to security concerns. There have been numerous discussions about Afghanistan's involvement in the BRI, but Beijing's view has been that stability must come before serious new economic commitments.

China's geo-political reading of the Afghanistan-Pakistan arena and its major players, including Iran, offers critical insights into how China may approach the Middle East and how its Afghanistan-Pakistan experience will impact its Middle East policy.

China has security concerns about unrest in neighbouring Afghanistan

China shares a 74km border with Afghanistan along the remote Wakhan Corridor, a narrow, inhospitable, and barely accessible strip of land. China has repeatedly voiced security concerns about unrest in neighbouring Afghanistan, fearing that instability in the region could lead to a spillover of Islamic extremism into Western China and the Xinjiang Autonomous Region.

China's primary security concern is the potential threat from the East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM), a group that aims to liberate Xinjiang Province and the Uyghur people from Chinese government control. Beijing has blamed the ETIM for a spate of violent attacks in Xinjiang in the last decade, including deadly car bombings in 2014 and fatal attacks in Beijing. The Taliban has historically had close ties with the ETIM, and China has been particularly worried about regional spillovers.

In addition to security concerns, China also has economic interests in stability at its Afghan border. China is attempting to grow its regional influence with the Belt and Road Initiative, a multi-billion-dollar, multi-nation infrastructure and investment project. China has also invested in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project under the Belt and Road banner, to connect Pakistan to Central Asia.

China has four primary security concerns that drive its engagement in Afghanistan:

• China wants to ensure that Afghanistan has a functioning government that can project its power throughout the country and maintain a monopoly on the use of violence. Without a stable government in place, Afghanistan will be vulnerable to potential instability from cross-border spillovers.
• China aims to ensure that its border with Afghanistan is secure to prevent violent extremists from entering its territory. Afghanistan is relying on the Taliban, as well as security provisions from Tajikistan and Pakistan, to secure its border.
• China wants to ensure that the Taliban is willing to eliminate Uyghur militant groups operating inside Afghan territory. China has exaggerated the threat and involvement of Uyghurs in terrorist organizations to justify its crackdown on Uyghurs in China.
• China aims to protect its current investments and citizens in Afghanistan. Without security, it is impossible for China to secure its people working in the country.

The Taliban controls the border crossings between the two countries

Afghanistan and China share a border that is approximately 46-74 miles long, located in the remote Wakhan Corridor. The border is crossed by several mountain passes, including the Wakhjir Pass in the south and the Tegermansu Pass in the north. The Wakhjir Pass, which sits at an altitude of nearly 5,000 meters, is the only pass between Afghanistan and China that is navigable.

The Taliban's control of the border crossings has implications for both countries. For Afghanistan, the border crossings provide opportunities for trade and economic development. For China, the border crossings are important for security reasons, as they can help prevent the infiltration of extremist groups and illicit activities.

The Taliban has pledged to leave Chinese interests alone and not to harbor anti-China extremist groups. However, the group's presence at the border crossings may impact the stability of the region and affect China's economic initiatives in the area. China has offered the Taliban an open hand and a hint of legitimacy, but it has not officially recognized the group as Afghanistan's new leaders.

The border crossings between Afghanistan and China are a critical aspect of the relationship between the two countries. The Taliban's control of these crossings has strategic implications for both nations and will influence their respective policies and interactions.

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