Beijing, Nov 23: A wary China on Monday urged the US to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan in an “orderly and responsible manner” amidst increasing concern here that the war-torn country, which shares borders with the volatile Xinjiang province, could become a breeding ground for Uighur Muslim militants.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian’s remarks came after acting US Defence Secretary Christopher Miller last week said that the US would cut its military presence in Afghanistan to 2,500 troops from 4,500 by January 15.
“China calls on foreign troops to leave Afghanistan in an orderly and responsible manner, give terrorist forces no breathing space and contribute to Afghanistan peace and reconciliation process,” Zhao told a media briefing here.
He also condemned the recent Islamic State attack on Kabul, saying “China will continue to firmly support the Afghan government and people in their efforts to combat terrorism and safeguard the national stability and their own security”.
Observers say that America’s latest plan to speed up the withdrawal of more troops from Afghanistan may have troubling consequences for China as Washington’s withdrawal also coincides with its move to lift the ban on the Uighur militant group — the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM).
Earlier this month, the Trump administration, in a sudden move, lifted the ban on the separatist ETIM, which has been designated as a terrorist organisation by the UN’s 1267 counter-terrorism committee in 2002 for its alleged association with al-Qaida, Osama bin Laden and the Taliban. (PTI)
