ABC: China ready for ‘friendly relations’ with Taliban, calls on US to ‘seriously reflect’ on Afghanistan

After the Taliban seized control of the country, China’s foreign ministry spokeswoman said it is ready to deepen “friendly and cooperative” relations with Afghanistan. Beijing has sought to maintain unofficial ties with the Taliban throughout the United States’ withdrawal since it shares a border and Beijing has long feared Afghanistan could become a staging point for minority Uyghur separatists in the sensitive border region of Xinjiang.