China will tread carefully in navigating the Taliban’s return

Analysis: Difficult to predict how China will deal with its volatile neighbour, but Uyghur issue could prove contentious

The US's hasty departure from Afghanistan has provided much material for China's propaganda agencies to discredit Washington's foreign policy. But Beijing is also treading a careful line in navigating an increasingly uncertain security situation in one of its most volatile neighbours.

On Monday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, Hua Chunying, said that while Beijing will continue developing good-neighbourly, friendly and cooperative relations with Afghanistan", it also urges the Taliban to ensure that all kinds of terrorism and crimes can be curbed so that the Afghan people can stay away from war and rebuild their homeland".