New Delhi, Aug 18 (TIWN) Several countries led by the UK have asked the world community not to bilaterally recognise the Taliban in Afghanistan, but China has done everything short of saying that it is a friendly force.

China has said the Taliban will establish an "open and inclusive" Islamic government in the war-torn country and will ensure a peaceful transition of power.  The Chinese Embassy in Kabul is among those few missions that are running at full steam and without any reason to either vacate the office or evacuate the staff. Its ambassador is stationed there though Chinese nationals living in the country have returned to China.  Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying went to the extent of hoping the Taliban would take full responsibility for the safety of the Afghan people and foreign embassies and missions.  The Chinese government has decided to take the word of the Taliban on its face value, saying: "We noticed the statement from Afghan Taliban yesterday (Sunday) saying that the war is over and they will start consultation on establishment of an open and inclusive Islamic government and take the responsibility of the safety of Afghan citizens and foreign diplomatic corps." 

A Chinese government spokesperson said that Beijing has been maintaining contact and communication with the Taliban and playing a constructive role in promoting a political settlement.  China's new-found love for the Taliban stems from the July-end meeting between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and the Taliban's political commissioner Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar in China.  The Taliban's assurance that it will not encourage anti-China elements, like the alleged Uyghur Islamic militants of the East Turkistan Islamic Movement, to take roots in Afghanistan.  Some reports of the United Nations would have everyone believe that hundreds of fighters of the Movement, which has been linked to the al-Qaeda, are moving towards Afghanistan. The US has removed the Movement from its list of terrorist organisations, it may be mentioned.