Asia-Pacific Security — 2026-04-01

Pakistan and Afghan Taliban Resume Peace Talks in China as Beijing Mediates

Pakistan and Afghanistan's Taliban government resumed peace talks in Urumqi, China, with Beijing mediating to broker a durable ceasefire after more than a month of fighting. Pakistan had declared "open war" with Afghanistan in February, and a previous Qatari-mediated ceasefire collapsed. The talks reflect China's expanding diplomatic role in South Asian security. Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of harboring Pakistani Taliban militants; Kabul denies the charge.

Analysis
Beijing is hosting Pakistan-Afghanistan talks in Urumqi, a city in Xinjiang, while simultaneously expanding its intelligence footprint in the Iran conflict. This reveals China's ambition to become the indispensable mediator across South and West Asia. The choice of venue is itself a statement about Chinese territorial sovereignty claims.
2 sources
  1. Pakistan says holding talks with Afghan govt in China - France 24
  2. AP Exclusive: Pakistan, Afghan Taliban resume talks in China as Beijing seeks ceasefire - Washington Post

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