Jinping regime's support to Taliban creates unrest among Chinese population

Beijing/Kabul- China’s ruling regime and the media desperately portray the Taliban as China’s ally. However, the Chinese people have expressed their disapproval over these efforts and posts expressing displeasure have started appearing on social media. Analysts claim that the Taliban’s violent and terrorist background and its atrocities against women have been aggressively raised by Chinese netizens and could threaten the communist regime.

China was one of the first countries to respond positively to the Taliban’s announcement that it had taken control of Afghanistan. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said China was keen to maintain friendly and cooperative relations with the new regime in Afghanistan. Chinese diplomats and state media have since launched a campaign claiming that the Taliban is an option chosen by Afghan citizens and has changed. The Communist Party’s mouthpiece, the People’s Daily, also released a one-minute video of the Taliban. However, the entire video did not mention Taliban terrorism at all.

The video went viral on the Chinese social media website Weibo, prompting an outcry. Many Chinese netizens recalled the Taliban’s violent history. Some made the Taliban aware of the mentality by mentioning the statue of Gautam Buddha in Bamyan that the Taliban demolished. Chinese netizens also point out that the Taliban prevent women from studying and working. An article suspicious of the Taliban was also published on the WeChat website.

The article titled, ‘Is Taliban the choice of Afghan People?’ received more than one lakh views. There was also a solid reaction to removing an appeal by a female film director from Afghanistan on social media in China. On social media, many women accused the ruling party of suppressing the voices of Afghan women. Some Chinese analysts have also expressed displeasure with the ruling regime for rushing to cooperate with the Taliban.

A report on the US website Bloomberg warned that increasing involvement in Afghanistan and supporting the Taliban regime could threaten China‘s Belt and Road Initiative. If the Taliban stabilises in Afghanistan, terrorist groups in Pakistan will gain strength, and the number of terrorist attacks in Pakistan will increase. Canada’s International Forum for Rights and Security also warned that the East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIAM), an ethnic group in Xinjiang, could threaten China’s national security during the Taliban’s rule. During a visit to China by a Taliban delegation last month, the Chinese foreign minister expressed concern and sought assurances from the Taliban.