'End of anarchy': China welcomes Taliban govt in Afghanistan

Calling on the Taliban to restore order in the country, foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said at a press briefing, "China attaches great importance to the announcement by the Taliban of the establishment of an interim government and some important personnel arrangements.

"This has ended more than three weeks of anarchy in Afghanistan and is a necessary step to restore order and rebuild the country."

Realising the desperate need for validation from the international community, the militant islamist group had promised an improvement in its thinking and forming an inclusive government. However, the new government has been drawn exclusively from among top Taliban leaders with background of terrorism in all key posts and no women.

China has been criticising the US for making a "hasty and ill-planned exit" but hailed the Taliban government which reemerged after twenty years because of the retreat.

Beijing expressed hope that the new government will bring stability to Afghanistan.

While the rest of the world has adopted a wait-and-see approach, China has not only retained its diplomatic mission in Afghanistan but also validated the Taliban government.

With a stable and cooperative administration in Kabul, China is hoping for a secure environment for it to take forward its expansionist policy, including the Belt and Road Initiative as well as mining of rare earths such as lithium.

Marred by acute economic crisis and a prolonged drought in Afghanistan, Taliban needs money to run the country and eyes China as a crucial source of economic support and potentially a key ally.

However, Beijing has its own doubts about building ties with the Islamist group as it remains cautious about the Taliban giving support to Muslim-minority Uyghur separatists in the bordering region of Xinjiang.

Last week Taliban spokesperson Abdul Salam Hanafi had said China had given assurance of increased humanitarian assistance especially for the treatment of Covid-19.

China would not interfere in Afghanistan's internal affairs, Wang said Wednesday, but hoped the Taliban would "pursue moderate and steady domestic and foreign policies, resolutely crack down on all kinds of terrorist forces, and get along well with all countries, especially neighbouring countries".