BEIJING: China said on Wednesday it would come to the question of diplomatic recognition of a Taliban rule in Afghanistan only after and an open, inclusive and broadly representative regime was installed in the war-torn country.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson told a regular media briefing that Beijing would continue to support Afghanistan in its peaceful rebuilding and provide assistance for its economic and social development.

“As a friendly and close neighbour and friend of Afghanistan, China always upholds a friendly policy towards the entire Afghan people, which will never change, spokesperson Zhao Lijian said. “We will continue to support peaceful reconstruction in Afghanistan,” he added.

“To the best of our capability [we will] assist Afghanistan in its economic and social development,” he said. “China will continue to play a constructive role towards the early realisation of enduring peace in Afghanistan.”

The spokesperson said that after four-decades-plus war and turmoil, the Afghan people yearned for peace and stability. “China hopes that all factions in the country will work to resolve differences through dialogue and consultation and prevent new conflict and work for a steady transition of the situation.”

Noting the statement from the Taliban about friendly relations with other countries, Zhao said that the Chinese side hoped [they] would work with other factions at home through dialogue, establish “an inclusive and open political framework” and adopt moderate and prudent domestic and foreign policies.

“At the same time, the Chinese side hopes the Afghan Taliban will firmly fight the terrorist forces, including the East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM), and earnestly implement its [their] commitment not to allow any force to use the Afghan territory to engage in terrorist acts detrimental to China.”

Zhao stressed that China respected the will and choice of the Afghan people and urged that the most imperative task at hand was to restore order as soon as possible and to prevent unnecessary casualties and large-scale refugees.

“The safety and interests of Afghan and foreign nationals, diplomatic missions in Afghanistan must be respected and guaranteed. We hope the Afghan Taliban will work with other factions … and establish a political framework that is open, inclusive in keeping with national conditions,” he added.