Last week, a number of countries reportedly criticized the actions of the Taliban. Turkey for example asked the world not to quickly recognize the Taliban government, while Iran strongly condemned the group's policy of choosing to fight the residents of the Panjshir Valley region over negotiations.

Recently, criticism also came from France. The country has even accused the Taliban of lying about the promise of an inclusive and representative government.

"France refuses to recognize or have any relationship with this government," said French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian Sunday (12/9/2021).

However, it turns out that there are a number of countries that do not do the same. China and Pakistan have even stepped in to help the country. They have also signaled they would be very open to increasing engagement in the country's peace.

China last week provided assistance of $31 million or the equivalent of 442 billion Rupiah to the Central Asian country. This is done by Beijing solely with humanitarian motives.

"For emergency use for the Afghan people," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said.

Meanwhile, Pakistan is also known to have sent humanitarian aid to Afghanistan. Not only that, Pakistani troops are also said to have been present to help the Taliban during their attempt to seize the Panjshir Valley last week.

Why do China and Pakistan keep holding on to the Taliban?

Some experts and officials in the region say China actually has an important motive, namely in smoothing the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). It is also related to Pakistan.

BRI is a new trade route project connecting China with the Middle East, Africa and Europe. One possibility for Afghanistan is to join the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a major part of the BRI.

Under the program, Beijing has pledged more than US$60 billion for infrastructure projects in Pakistan. Most are in the form of loans.

"The Taliban would welcome joining CPEC, China would also be very happy," said Rustam Shah Mohmand, Pakistan's former ambassador to Afghanistan.

Two sources in Afghanistan and Pakistan said China had actually been proactively pushing Afghanistan to join CPEC for years. Even so, they did not get a positive response from the previous government supported by the United States (US).

But now, the Taliban, who are in need of international recognition and economic stimulus, feel they are willing to follow Beijing and Islamabad. Analysts feel this is the best thing for them.

"The best way forward and an immediately available alternative option for Afghanistan's economic development is CPEC, which includes Pakistan and China," said Mushahid Hussain Sayed, a Pakistani senator and former chair of the China-Pakistan Institute.

"The new government in Kabul will also accept this and they are interested in it."

China itself is known to have held intense communication with the Taliban. Beijing even had discussions with the Islamist group at a meeting on July 28 in Tianjin.

During the meeting, China told the Taliban delegation that it hoped the group could play an important role in ending the Afghanistan war and rebuilding the country from chaos. In addition, China requested that the Taliban fight the potential for terrorism which also threatens the Xinjiang region.

"The Taliban welcome foreign investment that will benefit the country," said a Taliban source.