Taliban's First Officially Accredited Envoy, Bilal Karimi, Arrives in China

Karimi's Arrival Marks a Significant Step as the Taliban Seek International Recognition and Investment, Despite Ongoing Criticism of Their Policies on Women and Girls

Bilal Karimi, the first officially accredited envoy sent by the Taliban since their takeover in 2021, has arrived in Beijing as Afghanistan's new ambassador to China.
Karimi, who has no diplomatic experience, was welcomed by China's special envoy for Afghan affairs, Yue Xiaoyong, and his credentials will be presented to Chinese President Xi Jinping in a special ceremony.
The Taliban administration has expressed interest in joining President Xi Jinping's Belt and Road Initiative, a set of large infrastructure projects aimed at boosting China's trade ties with the world.
No country, including China, has officially recognized the Taliban's administration, and the Taliban frequently complain about this lack of recognition.
The Taliban's strict curbs on the movement of women and girls, including bans on female education and most jobs, have sparked fierce criticism in the West and exacerbated Afghanistan's isolation within the international community.