Afghanistan has urged China to include it in its ambitious global infrastructure project, the Belt and Road Initiative.
Under BRI, China is building the massive $65 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which includes a range of railways, highways, ports, and related infrastructure in Afghanistan's neighbouring country.
"We requested China to allow us to be a part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and Belt and Road Initiative", Taliban Commerce Minister Haji Nooruddin Azizi told reporters.
The development came a day after Taliban representatives attended the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing. Overall, 23 heads of state, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, participated in the forum.
China Pushes to Build Ties With Taliban
After the Taliban stormed back to power in Kabul in 2021, Beijing has made efforts to develop diplomatic ties with the hardline Islamist group, still under United Nations sanctions.
Last month, Beijing appointed an ambassador to Afghanistan, becoming the first sovereign state to do so since the Taliban's takeover.
China, however, is yet to recognize the Taliban administration.
*The Taliban is under UN sanctions for extremism.