China asks Taliban to make ‘clean break’ from all terrorist forces

Taliban should realise the responsibilities it bears for the nation, make a “clean break” with all terrorist forces and return to the mainstream of Afghan politics, says Wang Yi

In a significant policy statement on the Taliban which is making big gains in its offensive in Afghanistan, China has asked it to make a “clean break” from all terrorist forces, especially the al-Qaeda-backed Uyghur Muslim militant group ETIM fighting for the volatile Xinjiang Province’s independence. In his media briefing at Dushanbe, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed that further spread of the war in Afghanistan, especially an all-out civil war, should be avoided and pitched for restarting of intra-Afghan negotiations to realise political reconciliation and prevention of all kinds of terrorist forces from gaining ground in Afghanistan. The Taliban, as a major military force in Afghanistan, should realise the responsibilities it bears for the nation, make a “clean break” with all terrorist forces and return to the mainstream of Afghan politics, Mr. Wang said on July 13.