Although the Chinese government has skirted open recognition of the Taliban, Afghanistan’s economic promise may quash worries over international sanctions, terror threats, and the long-term viability of the Taliban’s noninclusive government.

Many onlookers believed Chinese interest in Afghanistan would revolve around exploration of the $1 trillion to $3 trillion in lithium, iron ore, cobalt, copper, gold, nickel, and chromite reserves believed to lie in Afghan soil. Numerous representatives from Chinese companies have reportedly traveled to Afghanistan to bid on mining rights, with a particular interest in lithium deposits that could fill internal and international demand for electric vehicle batteries. Thus far, investors have found the outlays of time and money required to mine lithium in Afghanistan prohibitive. Besides, with access to vast lithium interests throughout Africa and Latin America, China is unlikely to rush into an agreement to mine lithium deposits in Afghanistan in the near future.