Crack down on ETIM, terror groups, China tells Taliban

BEIJING: Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi has sought assurances from the Taliban that it will make a “clean break” with the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), a group Beijing alleges is inciting separatism in neighbouring Xinjiang, warning Kabul that the group not only threatens China’s security but also Afghanistan’s long-term stability.

Wang, also the Chinese state councillor, told acting deputy Prime Minister of the interim Taliban government in Afghanistan, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, that Beijing expects Kabul to crack down on ETIM and other terrorist groups.

Wang met Baradar in Doha, Qatar, late on Monday in the highest-level bilateral engagement with the Taliban government since the insurgent group swept to power in August and declared the establishment of a new regime, based on Islamic tenets, following the chaotic withdrawal of US-led western troops from Washington.

From a report on the meeting issued by the news agency Xinhua, it seemed that the meeting’s focus was on Beijing’s apprehensions on how the new regime will tackle terror and its efforts to form an inclusive government.

“Wang emphasised that the ‘East Turkestan Islamic Movement’ (ETIM), an international terrorist organisation listed by the UN Security Council, not only poses a real threat to China’s national security and territorial integrity, but also jeopardises the domestic stability and long-term stability in Afghanistan,” the Xinhua said.

Wang said he “hopes and believes” that the Afghan Taliban will make a clean break with the ETIM and other terrorist organisations, and take effective measures to resolutely crack down on them.

The Chinese diplomat identified “terrorist threats” as one of the “quadruple” threats that Afghanistan is facing now: The other three being humanitarian crisis, economic chaos and governance difficulties.

Wang said overcoming these challenges requires “more understanding and support from the international community”. Wang expressed his hope that the Afghan Taliban will further demonstrate openness and tolerance, unite all ethnic groups and factions to work together for peaceful reconstruction, and effectively protect the rights and interests of women and children.

During his stay in Doha, Wang will also meet with Afghanistan’s acting foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.