Top Chinese diplomat calls for world to ‘positively guide’ Taliban

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reportedly called for the world to “positively guide” the Taliban in a phone call with Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday.

“While respecting the sovereignty of Afghanistan, the U.S. should take concrete action to help Afghanistan fight terrorism and stop violence, rather than playing double standards or fighting terrorism selectively,” Wang said to Blinken, according to Reuters.

Wang reportedly said during the phone call that the U.S. should work with the international community to provide economic and humanitarian support to Afghanistan, including keeping the currency from depreciating, maintaining social stability and keeping the cost of living from rising.

According to State Department spokesman Ned Price, Blinken and Wang spoke about “the importance of the international community holding the Taliban accountable for the public commitments they have made regarding the safe passage and freedom to travel for Afghans and foreign nationals.”

Blinken spoke with Wang earlier this month to discuss the security situation in Afghanistan and the efforts by the U.S. and China to evacuate their respective citizens from the country.

Not long after the Taliban overtook control of Afghanistan’s government, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said China was ready to have “friendly and cooperative” relations with the militant group.

“The Taliban have repeatedly expressed their hope to develop good relations with China, and that they look forward to China’s participation in the reconstruction and development of Afghanistan,” Hua said.

Earlier in August, Taliban spokesperson Suhail Shaheen said that China could play a role in Afghanistan’s future.

Despite these statements, Reuters notes that China has yet to officially recognize the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan.