• Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met his counterparts from Pakistan and Afghanistan in Kabul.
• The meeting emphasized counter-terrorism cooperation and economic collaboration.
• Discussions included extending the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan.
• The three nations aim to enhance trade and regional stability amid ongoing security concerns.
• This trilateral dialogue could reshape regional dynamics in South Asia.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to Kabul marked a pivotal moment in regional diplomacy, as he engaged with Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in the Sixth Trilateral Foreign Ministers Dialogue. The meeting, which occurred on August 20, 2025, was the first in Kabul since the Taliban took power, aiming to strengthen cooperation on counter-terrorism efforts, trade, and regional connectivity according to South China Morning Post, Dawn, and TRT World.

The discussions included commitments to **joint efforts against terrorism**, acknowledgments of mutual interests, and the extension of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan. The Afghan foreign minister emphasized that Afghanistan's territory would not be used for any terrorist activities, which was a significant concern for Pakistan concerning groups like the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) operating in the region, as noted by Dawn, TRT World, and Reuters.

China has positioned itself as a mediator amid historically strained ties between Afghanistan and Pakistan, advocating for improved diplomatic interactions and security cooperation. This trilateral initiative is designed to optimize mutual benefits from regional opportunities, particularly in light of initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) aiming at expansive infrastructure development, emphasized by Al Jazeera, South China Morning Post, and Channel News Asia.

Furthermore, Wang Yi's agenda included concerns about security linked to the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), urging Afghanistan to intensify its efforts against such groups to foster a conducive environment for economic collaboration. This security dialogue underscores the growing complexity of China's engagement in South Asia as it seeks to address both diplomatic and security dynamics to safeguard its investment interests, particularly in CPEC projects, according to Al Jazeera and TRT World.