An explosion outside a Chinese restaurant in Kabul on 19 January killed one Chinese national and wounded five others, Beijing confirmed on 20 January. At a regular press briefing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said the ministry has lodged an urgent protest with Afghan authorities, demanded full medical treatment for the injured and requested swift, effective measures to protect Chinese citizens, projects and institutions in Afghanistan. The Chinese embassy has visited patients in hospital and the foreign ministry called for a rapid investigation and punishment of those responsible.
Chinese state media have reported that the so-called Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISIS‑K) has claimed responsibility for the attack. Guo reiterated Beijing’s “strong condemnation and resolute opposition to any form of terrorism” and urged Afghanistan and regional partners to work together to combat violent extremism. He also warned Chinese nationals not to travel to Afghanistan in the near term, urged heightened vigilance for those already on the ground and recommended rapid withdrawal from high‑risk areas.
The incident highlights the persistent security risks that have dogged Afghanistan since the Taliban regained power in 2021. ISIS‑K has repeatedly targeted foreigners, minority groups and civilian venues, undermining the Taliban’s claims of restoring order. For Beijing, which has pursued growing political and economic engagement with Kabul — from diplomatic outreach to cautious investments and Chinese personnel on the ground — attacks on Chinese citizens strike directly at the viability of its footprint in the country.
Beyond the immediate humanitarian and diplomatic response, the blast could have practical consequences for China’s posture in Afghanistan. Beijing faces a choice between pressing the Taliban harder for security guarantees and contingency planning for a drawdown of Chinese personnel and projects. At home, the government will be expected to demonstrate it can protect Chinese citizens abroad, while abroad the incident will complicate efforts to pursue Belt and Road and mineral extraction projects in an environment where militant groups can still strike foreign targets with impunity.
For regional actors, the attack underscores the limits of unilateral assurances from Kabul and increases the impetus for coordinated counter‑terrorism measures. Whether the Taliban can deliver credible security guarantees to foreign partners — and whether Beijing is willing to condition engagement on demonstrable results rather than geopolitical convenience — will shape the next chapter of China’s involvement in Afghanistan.