Friendship with major powers such as China, the United States, and Russia has been smooth, and the Taliban in Afghanistan was about to get back on track. Suddenly, the Afghan Taliban issued an order that shocked the world. It seems that China's earnest words were not fully understood by the Taliban.

Afghan Taliban regime

Recently, the Afghan Taliban regime suddenly ordered the shutdown of fiber-optic internet connections across the country without any warning. This internet blackout is unprecedented in terms of its scope and intensity. Due to Afghanistan's heavy reliance on shared fiber-optic lines, cutting off high-speed internet also affected mobile and landline telephone services, i.e., mobile and landline phone functions.

Afghanistan is currently experiencing a comprehensive communication blackout, becoming a rare large-scale information island in recent years. An Afghan news channel editor sarcastically said that Afghanistan is competing with North Korea in "internet blackouts" and has even taken first place. Earlier this month, the Taliban also banned books written by women in university textbooks.

In addition to basic communications being affected, satellite TV, airport flights, banking services, and news media have also experienced varying degrees of chaos. If the ban continues, it could severely impact multiple areas such as finance, media, and education in Afghanistan, especially in the economic aspect.

Market in the capital of Afghanistan

Many Afghans say that without the internet, business can't be conducted. The Afghan economy is already on the brink of collapse. Before the Taliban came to power, international aid accounted for more than 40% of Afghanistan's GDP. Now, foreign exchange is frozen, and international aid has been cut off, unemployment has soared to nearly 40%, and over 70% of the population is below the poverty line.

The internet blackout is a further blow to Afghanistan's already struggling economy. Additionally, the internet cutoff measures have seriously affected the educational opportunities for Afghan women. Since the Taliban took power, they have prohibited girls from attending middle school and university, and women can only secretly receive education through the internet. Now, this only learning channel will also be cut off.

Afghan women

The official explanation given by the Taliban is that this measure helps prevent the spread of "immoral content." However, scholars generally believe that this is just a surface reason. In reality, the Taliban regime is trying to strengthen social control by controlling the flow of information and concealing domestic conflicts and human rights conditions.

The Taliban's internet blackout measures are also contrary to the expectations of the international community, especially China. China has always emphasized that it hopes the Taliban will make efforts on women's education and human rights issues, and China will fully support the Afghan people in moving towards progress. However, looking at the Taliban's actions, it is almost the opposite of "progress."

Meeting between Chinese and Afghan Foreign Ministers

To date, apart from Russia, no other country has recognized the legitimacy of the Taliban regime. Foreign Minister Wang Yi has visited Afghanistan several times, each time with earnest words. China is very willing to help Afghanistan return to the right path, but the Taliban should also show some determination on the issues that China is concerned about. This internet blackout is of no benefit to Afghanistan's normal development.

In recent years, the Taliban has tried to improve its international image through diplomatic means. However, this internet blackout will undoubtedly increase the estrangement between Afghanistan and the international community. The international community's attitude toward the Taliban has always been cautious, and this internet blackout will further weaken the trust of the international community in the Taliban. For the Taliban to gain recognition from the international community, it will become even more difficult.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7555794589614703145/

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