Publication

This commentary looks at China's policy shift on Afghanistan since the establishment of the People's Republic of China until today. The author argues that until recently, China's contribution to multilateral assistance efforts in Afghanistan has been limited. This is changing, and while China will remain understandably cautious about its exposure in Afghanistan, the country is now engaged, open to ideas, seeking to be constructive, and deeply concerned about what comes next. In fact, the author sees 2014 as a defining year for China's relationship with Afghanistan.