China to wait for govt formation before recognising Taliban regime

The Chinese foreign ministry said that the Taliban should crack down on the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, which it has accused of fomenting unrest and separatism in northwestern region of Xinjiang.

China on Wednesday said it is waiting for the Taliban to establish an “open, inclusive, and broadly representative” government in Afghanistan before it decides on the issue of recognition.

Senior Haqqani group leader Anas Haqqani (right) speaks to Abdullah Abdullah, head of Afghanistan’s National Reconciliation Council and former government negotiator with the Taliban, in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Wednesday. (AP)

“If we are going to recognise a government, we will have to wait till the government is formed,” foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said on Wednesday. “Only after that, will we come to the question of diplomatic recognition.”

“It is a customary international practice that the recognition of a government comes after its formation. China’s position on the Afghan issue is clear and consistent. We hope that Afghanistan can form an open, inclusive, and broadly representative government that echoes the widely shared aspirations of its own people and the international community,” Zhao said when asked about Beijing’s stand on recognising the Taliban government in Kabul.

China, Zhao said hopes that all parties in Afghanistan would resolve differences through dialogue and consultation, avoid new conflicts and humanitarian disasters, and work towards smooth transition in the Afghan situation.

“As a friendly neighbour to and sincere friend of Afghanistan, China upholds a friendly policy towards the entire Afghan people. This did not, does not and will not change. China will continue to support peace and reconstruction in Afghanistan, and provide help for socioeconomic development in Afghanistan as our ability permits,” the spokesperson said.

Zhao reiterated that the Taliban should crack down on the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), which it has accused of fomenting unrest and separatism in China’s northwestern region of Xinjiang.

Afghanistan and Xinjiang share a remote border of around 70km.

“At the same time, we hope it will resolutely crack down on all kinds of terrorist forces, including the ETIM, and earnestly honour the commitment of not allowing any force to use Afghan territory to threaten the security of its neighbours,” he said.

Beijing has strongly criticised what it calls the “hasty” retreat of US forces for the current instability in Afghanistan.

China has sought good relations with both the former Afghan government and the Taliban, hosting the group’s top political leader, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, for talks with state councillor and foreign minister Wang Yi in July.